Raptors' Lowry expected to play Game 3 despite shin contusion

The Toronto Raptors cannot afford to be without Kyle Lowry as they head to D.C. facing a 2-0 series deficit against the Washington Wizards, and it turns out they won't be.

After leaving Tuesday's Game 2 loss due to a left shin contusion, Lowry is expected to practice with the team Thursday and suit up for Game 3 on Friday.

The All-Star point guard has struggled to begin the series, as foul trouble has limited him to 61 total minutes through two games, during which time he has accumulated twice as many personal fouls (10) as he has made field goals (five).

Lowry has shot 25 percent from the field while going 0-for-6 from 3-point range as the Raptors have dug themselves into a hole by dropping two home games to open the series.

Lowry missed nine of 10 games with a back contusion and then back spasms in March and early April, but played roughly 140 minutes over Toronto's final four regular-season games.

The good news for Lowry, assuming he's healthy enough to play, is that his shooting likely can't get much worse.

The 29-year-old averaged 17.8 points, 6.8 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals for the Raptors, but saw his shooting and defensive play slip in the second half of the season.