Raptors' Nurse: Lowry playing through 'a lot of pain' in hand
Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse revealed Wednesday that the thumb sprain Kyle Lowry suffered in the second round of the playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers is still hampering the point guard against the Milwaukee Bucks.
"Kyle's hand is not great," Nurse said, according to ESPN's Tim Bontemps. "You know, he's - it's hurt and it's sore and it causes him a lot of pain. But he seems to be able to manage it through the game and do what he can do.
"He's obviously scoring and playing great on top of the other things he always does, and we're really (seeing) a heck of a lot of toughness and again, the spirit that he just wants to be out there and help his team any way he can."
Lowry hurt his hand in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals after a drive to the basket. He went to the locker room holding his left thumb but quickly returned and went on to play 39 minutes in the win.
Kyle Lowry heads to the locker room with a thumb injury! pic.twitter.com/9FKhajaw4S
— Basketball Forever (@Bballforeverfb) May 12, 2019
He has taken to wearing a blue oven mitt-like glove in order to assist with circulation.
Lowry said he's had some trouble gripping the ball because of his injured thumb, but insisted he'll be fine.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) May 15, 2019
He was wearing what looked like an oven mitt to help with circulation.
"I was learning how to cook so it comes in handy too." pic.twitter.com/WOsvzZSK1Y
Despite the injury, Lowry is averaging 20.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists through four games against the Bucks. It doesn't appear to be impacting his stroke, as he's shooting 48.4 percent from 3-point range on 7.8 attempts per contest.
Nurse offered a more positive update on Kawhi Leonard. The Raptors forward has been visibly limping during the series, but after the head coach alleviated concerns postgame Tuesday, he reiterated the superstar is doing well.
"He's feeling good," he said. "No concerns at this point. He's good."