The Raptors’ machine-like start to the 2020 playoffs suffered its first kink on Sunday: Point guard Kyle Lowry turned his left foot after stepping on Chris Chiozza’s foot late in the first quarter of Game 4 against Brooklyn.
Toronto announced Monday that Lowry has been diagnosed with a left ankle sprain and his condition will be updated as appropriate. The Raptors said Lowry had an MRI on the NBA campus in Orlando after suffering the injury.
After initially attempting to play through it, Lowry was forced to exit the game for good. Raptors coach Nick Nurse told reporters after the game that Lowry was undergoing an MRI on the arch of his foot. The Raptors won 150-122 to win the series and advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics. That series begins Thursday night (6:30 ET, ESPN).
Lowry finished with two points in nine minutes. The six-time All-Star averaged 16.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5.3 rebounds through the Raptors’ first three playoff games against the Nets. A series victory would send Toronto to the conference semifinals, where they would face the Boston Celtics.