Orlando, Fla. , Miami Heat guard Kyle Lowry Did something during the start of Saturday night’s 126-114 overtime loss Orlando Magic What he hadn’t done in more than 10 years: He sat on the bench.
Lowry, who had not played since February 2 due to sore left knee, entered Saturday’s game in place of the Heat star with 6:21 remaining in the first quarter. Jimmy Butler, When he did so, it snapped a 677-game start streak, according to ESPN Stats & Information Research.
Last time Lowry came out as a member of the bench toronto raptors On January 26, 2013, against cleveland cavaliers, After losing 15 games in a row, he said he wanted to help wherever he could.
“At this point right now, no,” Lowry said when asked if he still cared to start. “I know in my heart I’m a starter, but we just have to figure things out. And I’m more [Heat coach Erik Spoelstra] Had a conversation He wants to make sure I’m healthy enough that he doesn’t get a blowout and he has to change lineups again and change rotations again.”
Lowry’s entrance into Saturday’s game was briefly delayed because he had to jump off the stationary bike he was setting loose behind the Heat’s bench. As he reached the scorer’s table, he had to take off his warmup, a heating pad, and another wrap before checking into the game.
Lowry, who will turn 37 later this month, had 12 points and four assists in 36 minutes. Spoelstra admitted after the game that the high minute total was “definitely not the plan” but said the Heat’s rotation had to be changed because guard tyler herro was confined due to food poisoning and the Big Man cody zeller He had to leave the game after breaking his nose and getting stitches under his eye.
Regardless of the circumstances, Spoelstra and the Heat players were pleased with what they saw from Lowry.
“He came back, and he looked great to me,” Butler said. “Absolutely back in rhythm. But we won. With him out there, without him out there, we hope to win. We’re in the fight of our lives right now. Glad my man is back. I think we all Know it. I think everyone is. Now we just have to get him back and win.”
magic swingman Franz Wagner He also had to leave the game in the fourth quarter after injuring his right ankle. The Magic said that the X-rays were negative.
The game was filled with plenty of highlight-worthy plays, including Butler’s 3-pointer at the end of regulation that sent the game into overtime. But once in overtime the young Magic regrouped and rolled back Wendell Carter Jr.K 27 points and 11 rebounds.
The game also included an awkward moment at the end when Butler walked off the floor with the final seconds still running. With only four players on the court, Miami was called for a technical foul, an ultimately disappointing finish for a Heat squad that didn’t think it had received a consistent whistle. “It was a bizarre deal,” Spoelstra said of the final technicality. “We had a half-dozen instances with that official. He’s neither here nor there. I’m not getting fined. And the league, you’re not even thinking about fineing me.
“But it started with that blocked foul where Jimmy took one in the face, then Cody took another in the face and broke his nose. And then our argument about those continued with the official and Then it became like a match I think because of arrogance. But the officer had the last laugh on that.
When asked if he knew the Heat got a technical when he walked off the field, Butler said, “I don’t give a f—.”
The Heat, now 36-33 and seventh in the Eastern Conference, are hoping to find a rhythm heading into the final month of the season. Lowry acknowledged how difficult it has been for him over the past month to sit and watch his teammates.
“It sucked,” Lori said of his absence. “Honestly, the thing about it is you want to win basketball games and compete. I’ve always believed in our team and what we do. You win two, you lose two, you win one.” , lose one, it’s tough. And then not being able to physically get out there and help … The boys are fighting their butts off, and all I can say is, ‘Good game, and let’s Come back to this.'”