Are Sixers Concerned With Kyle Lowry’s Injury Ahead of Magic Matchup?

The Philadelphia 76ers aren't sure about Kyle Lowry's playing status against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday.

Mar 31, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Philadelphia 76ers guard Kyle Lowry (7) controls the ball | Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

UPDATE: Kyle Lowry has been upgraded to AVAILABLE on Friday.

After the Philadelphia 76ers played the Miami Heat last Thursday, the veteran guard Kyle Lowry collected another start for the team in the first matchup of a back-to-back set.

Lowry’s shift in Memphis last Saturday would conclude in under 21 minutes. At the time, Lowry’s early night seemed to be the result of getting rest in a blowout victory.

When the Sixers paid a visit to the San Antonio Spurs the following night, Lowry was issued the night off. Unlike his teammates, Lowry didn’t have an injury diagnosis. Instead, he was ruled out for rest.

There wasn’t anything to be concerned about when Lowry remained off the court for the double-overtime victory on the road, but the narrative shifted a bit this week.

Once again, Lowry landed on the Sixers’ injury report for the Tuesday night matchup against the Detroit Pistons. Listed as questionable, Lowry was dealing with a left knee effusion, according to the Sixers’ injury report.

While the team left the door open for a Lowry return as early as Tuesday night, he took off a second-straight game instead. Based on his questionable injury report status for Friday’s game agains the Orlando Magic, Lowry is in danger of missing three in a row.

Are the Sixers at all concerned about Lowry’s recent setback? The head coach Nick Nurse brushed that idea off before the team hosted Detroit on Tuesday.

“It’s not too bad,” Nurse said, describing Lowry’s setback. “I think he did ding it a little bit in the Miami game. We just want to get him back to feeling a little bit better. We got a few days after this game, but I think he’ll be ok.”

Since signing with the Sixers, Lowry has garnered a key role on the team. In 21 games, he picked up 18 starts, averaging 29 minutes on the floor. The veteran has knocked down 45 percent of his shots and 41 percent of his threes while putting up eight points per game.

With a playoff appearance pending, the Sixers have high hopes for Lowry playing a critical role in their potential postseason run. While he might not be fully healthy at this time, the Sixers don’t seem concerned by the recent setback.