The Toronto Raptors are fresh off a clean sweep of the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. This was the 2-7 matchup in the East. The Raptors have lost only one game since entering the bubble, the best record amongst all active teams.

A huge part of this success is drawn from the cohesive team unit that the Raptors are. They don’t have a clear number one star, however, they do have a deep bench and talent spread across positions. The tone for the team is set by veteran point guard Kyle Lowry, the oldest active player on the roster.

Lowry was crucial to the Raptors title run last season and has taken more responsibility alongside Pascal Siakam now that Kawhi is gone. However, the Raptors may miss him in their crucial playoff matchup with the Boston Celtics. Shams Charania of The Athletic has reported that Lowry has a left ankle sprain.

Toronto Raptors doing it without Lowry?

Considering how a few games of the playoff round one are still left, we can assume that Lowry recovers from the sprain in time for the series against Boston. We just saw Luka Doncic have a two-day turn around on a very serious looking ankle sprain. Not to compare the health of a 21-year old with a 34-year old, but Lowry could recover in time for the series if needed.

The Raptors have the depth to play without Lowry though. Fred VanVleet is a talented combo-guard that can step in at the point. Norman Powell moves to the starting lineup and forms the backcourt for the Raptors. The Raptors could go for any number of combinations, but it wouldn’t be the same as having Lowry’s veteran leadership on the court. The team may be full of former champions, but Lowry is the leader.

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The Raptors must tread carefully. Lowry has averaged a low 12.5 points in the playoffs, but the Raptors still comfortably swept the Nets. Hopefully, this injury allows Lowry to bounce back and show why the Raptors need him. His patient ball-handling is an underrated key to success for the Raptors.