Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry has yet to play since Nov. 8 after fracturing his left thumb in a game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Apart from rehabbing his injury, the five-time NBA All-Star has also used the downtime to help his team by coaching on the sidelines during Raptor practices.
The team’s head coach Nick Nurse recently talked about Lowry’s coaching skills, per Raptors beat reporter Josh Lewenberg.
“Total authoritarian. I'm just kidding. He's very direct,” Nick Nurse quipped.
Having served as Toronto’s floor general since 2012, the Villanova product has become some sort of a calming presence and an elder statesman for the defending champs, which Nurse applauded.
“Obviously a lot of years and a lot of smarts in the game and the guys listen to him. He jumped out there in a drill today to say ‘we're not quite doing this right, here's what it should look like', and he walked them through it… He's a good coach.”
Prior to the injury that cost him the last eight games, Lowry has been averaging 21.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.1 steal in eight games. He has upped his shooting efficiency from the field, draining 47.8 of his attempts and 42.6 clip from three.
Toronto released no timetable for Lowry’s return, but multiple reports indicated that he could be back as early as December 1.
The Raptors, meanwhile, have slowly adjusted to life without Kawhi Leonard and is currently tied with the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics with the second best record in the East at 12-4.