The Toronto Raptors are officially preparing to give franchise icon Kyle Lowry the historic send-off he has long deserved. The organization announced that the greatest player in team history will have his iconic No. 7 jersey raised to the rafters during a special post-game ceremony at Scotiabank Arena on Sunday, January 10, when the Raptors host the Philadelphia 76ers.
This monumental event marks only the second time a player’s number has been retired in franchise history, following Vince Carter, whose No. 15 was retired during the 2024-25 season.
The choice of opponent carries sentimental weight. While early speculation linked the ceremony to a visit from his longtime best friend and former teammate DeMar DeRozan, the team ultimately chose the 76ers—representing both Lowry’s hometown and one of his former squads. However, DeRozan could still be in attendance to support his close friend, as the Denver Nuggets play in Cleveland on January 9 and enjoy a scheduled day off on the date of the ceremony.
Expressing his deep connection to the city and the franchise, Lowry shared his excitement over the upcoming milestone. Having spent nine transformative seasons in Toronto from 2012 to 2021, the veteran point guard anchored the core that captured the city’s first-ever NBA Championship in 2019. He remains firmly etched in the team’s record books, currently ranking second in franchise history for both games played (601) and total points scored (10,540).
The organization is treating the entire week as a celebration of Lowry’s legacy, rolling out exclusive fan giveaways and themed programming leading up to the January 10 matchup. The commemorative weekend kicks off on January 7 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where fans in attendance will receive a collectible T-shirt. The festivities continue on January 8 when the Raptors face the Utah Jazz, giving supporters the chance to secure a limited-edition Lowry bobblehead.
In anticipation of the event, the Raptors also teased a brand-new, Lowry-inspired logo that is expected to feature heavily throughout the week’s promotions and could potentially make an appearance on the Scotiabank Arena court. For a fanbase that watched him bleed and sweat for Canada’s team for nearly a decade, January 10 promises to be an emotional, unforgettable night celebrating the true heart and soul of Raptors basketball.
