TORONTO (AP) — It was a brief cameo at the end of a blowout win, but it meant everything to Philadelphia 76ers guard Kyle Lowry.
The six-time All-Star got a rousing standing ovation when he checked in for the final 1:57 of Philadelphia's 115-102 win at Toronto on Monday night.
It could be the final appearance the 39-year-old makes in the city where he spent nine seasons and won the 2019 NBA championship.
“I got an opportunity to experience probably one of the greatest basketball moments of my personal career,” said Lowry, who left with the game ball after making his first appearance since Dec. 23 against Brooklyn.
With the home team facing a double-digit deficit most of the night, the crowd of 18,127 started chanting “We want Lowry!” in the fourth quarter.
They erupted when 76ers coach Nick Nurse, who led Toronto to their 2019 title, called on Lowry to replace Tyrese Maxey.
“I thought they didn’t think I was really going to do it, but I was planning on it there and got a good moment to do it,” Nurse said of the crowd’s reaction. “It was nice to be able to kind of bring him in on his own there.”
Lowry airballed a 3-pointer on his first attempt and missed the three shots he took, all from distance.
“I called a play for him right out of the timeout and he probably wasn’t quite ready for that one,” Nurse said. “Too bad that one didn’t go in because he had it on line.”
Lowry is in his 20th NBA season. He arrived to Sunday’s game at Toronto wearing an Auston Matthews Maple Leafs hockey jersey, and reiterated his plan to eventually sign a one-day contract so he can retire as a Raptor.
“That has not changed,” Lowry said Sunday.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Philadelphia 76ers players cheer as teammate Kyle Lowry, front left, is brought into an NBA basketball game by head coach Nick Nurse, center, in the final minutes of second half against the Toronto Raptors in Toronto, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Philadelphia 76ers guard Kyle Lowry, front, looks on after an NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors in Toronto, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Philadelphia 76ers guard Kyle Lowry (7) acknowledges the fans as he is brought in during the final minutes of an NBA basketball game against his former team, the Toronto Raptors, in Toronto, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
CHICAGO (AP) — Connor McDavid extended his career-high point streak to 19 games, helping the Edmonton Oilers beat the short-handed Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 on Monday night.
McDavid picked up a secondary assist on Edmonton's first two goals. He has 19 goals and 25 assists during his point streak.
Evan Bouchard had two goals and an assist as the Oilers won for the third time in four games. Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman also scored, and Connor Ingram made 29 saves.
Chicago played without center Connor Bedard, who was scratched because of an illness. Fellow forward Teuvo Teravainen missed the last two periods, but there was no reason provided by the team.
Blackhawks defenseman Artyom Levshunov had a second-period shift that lasted more than 5 1/2 minutes. He skated for 24 1/2 minutes on the night.
Tyler Bertuzzi scored his team-best 24th goal for Chicago in the opener of a four-game homestand. Spencer Knight stopped 33 shots.
Bertuzzi trimmed Edmonton's lead to 2-1 when he knocked in a rebound with 5:14 left. Hyman then had a goal waved off when the referees ruled that he used his right leg to kick it in.
But the Oilers closed it out on Bouchard's empty-netter with 53 seconds left, and Draisaitl added his 24th of the season.
Edmonton controlled the action for most of the first period. Kasperi Kapanen had a prime scoring opportunity in the low slot at 12:59, but he was robbed by Knight on a terrific glove save.
Hyman put the Oilers in front when he tipped home Bouchard's pass at 14:41. Hyman held off Blackhawks defenseman Alex Vlasic while picking up his 14th goal of the season.
Bouchard made it 2-0 on a bank shot off Knight from behind the net 16 seconds into the second. It was the defenseman's third goal during a five-game point streak and No. 10 on the year.
The Oilers visit the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night. The Blackhawks host the Calgary Flames on Thursday night.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Wyatt Kaiser (44) moves the puck against Edmonton Oilers center Trent Frederic (10) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight defends against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Chicago Blackhawks right wing Ilya Mikheyev (95) moves the puck against Edmonton Oilers center Jack Roslovic (28) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Edmonton Oilers center Curtis Lazar, right, flips the puck past Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Artyom Levshunov (55) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) moves the puck against Chicago Blackhawks center Ryan Donato (8) and defenseman Alex Vlasic (72) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
