Kyle Lowry wears Auston Matthews jersey in tribute to pal

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Kyle Lowry shared an arena and the sporting spotlight with Auston Matthews for five years, so it was only fitting he paid tribute to him on Sunday.

In town for likely the last time as an active NBA player, Lowry, the Raptors all-time leader in several categories, wore a Matthews jersey to the game not long after Matthews became the all-time Maple Leafs goals leader.

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The Raptors and 76ers also play here on Monday.

In a pre-game media scrum, Lowry, who is in his 20th season and third with Philadelphia, said it was an easy wardrobe choice.

“I respect the hell out of Auston, we had a mutually respectful relationship and I have to pay the tribute to my city and I can’t say my country because it’s the Toronto Maple Leafs (not Canada on the jersey), but you know,” Lowry said. “I’m a Maple Leafs guy and Auston, that’s a great jersey, I didn’t know how big those damn jerseys were but it was a good fit though. I appreciate him. I wanted to show the support for the city and also for him for giving me the jersey,” Lowry said.

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Spent nine seasons in Toronto

Lowry played nine years with the Raptors and led the team to the 2019 NBA championship as well as another conference final appearance before joining the Miami Heat in 2021.

He reiterated Sunday that he will sign a one-day contract with the Raptors and retire with the franchise he is most closely connected with. Lowry also said if his jersey gets retired one day it will be extremely emotional for him.

“If it does and when it does it will be a super emotional day,” Lowry said. “I put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into that (number) seven and to know that it probably will never be worn again will be pretty special. I think something that for my basketball legacy will be pretty darn cool.”

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