Raptors G Lowry hopes to return from back injury to face Spurs

Toronto All-Star guard Kyle Lowry had hoped to return from a back injury to face the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night, but the Raptors ruled him out more than an hour before game time. Lowry went through a strenuous pregame workout but still wound up sitting out his fourth consecutive game. Earlier in the day, Raptors coach Nick Nurse said at team's shootaround in San Antonio there was an "outside chance" that Lowry could play.

The game marks Kawhi Leonard's return against his former team as well as the Raptors' showdown with their old teammate, DeMar DeRozan, sent to San Antonio in July as part of the Leonard trade. Lowry, averaging 14.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 9.8 assists per game, has not played since Dec. 22, missing eight of the team's past nine games including Thursday. Lowry received anti-inflammatory injections on his back on Dec. 29.

(With inputs from agencies.)