Lowry ruled out for 1st game against Raptors since departure

Miami Heat guard Kyle Lowry will miss Monday's game against the Toronto Raptors due to personal reasons, the team announced, according to The Associated Press' Tim Reynolds.

It would have been Lowry's first game against the Raptors since departing in free agency last summer.

Lowry played eight seasons in Toronto, picking up a championship in 2019 and six All-Star appearances.

Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet played alongside Lowry for five seasons and was anticipating the matchup against his former teammate, telling reporters, including Sportsnet's Michael Grange, "I'm looking forward to playing against the old man for sure."

Lowry's next opportunity to square off against his old squad will be on Jan. 29, with his first game back in Toronto coming on Feb. 1.