Former Raptors star Kyle Lowry reaffirmed his desire to retire as a Toronto Raptor, and reflected on what it would mean to one day see his jersey raised to the rafters.
Even after leaving the city more than five years ago to play for his hometown, the Philadelphia 76ers guard still showed his love for the 6ix, arriving at Sunday’s game at Scotiabank Arena dressed in an Auston Matthews Maple Leafs jersey.
Lowry said his outfit was not only because he respects Matthews, but because he had to rep his city.
“I appreciate him and I wanted to show support for the city,” he said to reporters in the locker ahead of the game.
The back-to-back matchups on Sunday and Monday could mark Lowry’s final games in Toronto. As a tribute, Scotiabank Arena has changed their screens leading up to the Sixers’ locker room to feature photos of Lowry in Raptors uniform over the years.
This is the hallway leading up to the visitors’ locker room at Scotiabank Arena. These screens usually have Scotiabank logos on them. Today, before what could be his final game in Toronto, they’re a tribute to Kyle Lowry. pic.twitter.com/QCqWRxXbe4
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) January 12, 2026
But before Sunday’s game, he was sure to confirm that it won’t be his last time in the city. He told reporters that he fully intends on keeping his promise of signing a one-day contract and retiring as a member of the Toronto Raptors.
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“My goal, and I’ve committed to this and I never go from what I say, I will sign a one-day contract and retire as a Raptor,” the six-time All-Star said. “That has not changed.”
Widely considered the greatest Raptor of all time, particularly after helping lead the franchise to its first-ever NBA championship in 2019 and spending nine seasons in the city, many believe Lowry’s No. 7 jersey should be retired and never worn again.
When asked about that possibility, Lowry initially joked.
“Y’all ever seen me cry?,” he laughed. “It depends on how Matt [Devlin, Raptors commentator] … He might be the emcee. If he does, and when he does, it would be a super emotional day.”
The Raptors have only retired one jersey over the franchise’s entire history: Vince Carter’s No. 15 which was raised to the rafters back in November 2024.
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“I put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into that [No. 7], and the fact that it probably won’t ever be worn again, it would be pretty special. I think it’s something that, for my basketball legacy, it’s gonna be pretty darn cool.”
The Raptors closed out Sunday night’s game with a 116-115 overtime win. They’ll take on the 76ers once again on Monday evening at Scotiabank Arena.
