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Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry had a notable performance against the Houston Rockets on Friday night in just his second game back from an ankle injury. He notched the 16th triple-double performance of his career and opted to give the game ball to Raptors assistant coach Sergio Scariolo instead.
According to the veteran point guard, he was inspired by both Michael Jordan and the late Kobe Bryant who used to give the game balls away to their teammates and coaches during their playing days, via Josh Lewenberg.
Why does Lowry always get the game ball for his teammates/coaches after a milestone?
"I remember seeing Michael Jordan grab the game ball… and I've seen Kobe do it… It's something that you'll always have in your family forever, and it's just special for that individual."
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) February 27, 2021
Scariolo was definitely deserving in getting the game ball after he manned the team in light of head coach Nick Nurse's absence. A good number of the coaching staff needed to self-isolate in observance of the league's health and safety protocols.
“Kyle is always extremely attentive to those details, the little things which really make a difference to make a team feel like a family, a group of people who are really taking care for each other, and I really appreciate that,” Scariolo said postgame via The Score.
On the floor, the six-time All-Star filled the stat sheet as he registered 20 points, on 4/5 shooting from beyond the arc along with 11 rebounds and 10 assists in 35 minutes of action. The Raptors led the Rockets from start to finish en route to a 122-111 triumph.
Indeed, both were instrumental for the Raptors' success this season. With their victory over the Rockets on Friday night, the team has further improved to a 17-17 record to hold the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference. Though it is still uncertain whether or not Kyle Lowry will get to finish the 2020-21 season as a Raptor, the level of impact that he has given to the members of the organization will certainly leave a mark on them for the years to come.
