Kyle Lowry and Ben Simmons got into it last January in a game at the Wells Fargo Center. They were both ejected with just 6.5 seconds remaining.
Former five-star Cardinal Dougherty High School point guard Kyle Lowry returns home to face Simmons and the Sixers tonight, in arguably Philly's biggest game of the season.
Lowry raved about his hometown team during a podcast with Sixers' TV play-by-play announcer Marc Zumoff.
"I like them. I think they're super talented," Lowry said of the Sixers on Zoo's Views Podcast. "I love Joel (Embiid). I love Joel, man. Every time I get a chance, I talk a little trash. He shows me the little finger, I take charges on him because he hates it, but I think the mutual respect is there. I think Ben Simmons is an unbelievable super talent. We got into it, whatever year that was—last year. But that doesn't take away the fact that he's freakin' unbelievably good."
Lowry was a teammate of Jimmy Butler's during the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and works out a little bit with T.J. McConnell.
"And Jimmy Butler is a friend of mine, and I'd say that's a real life friend of mine," Lowry said. "We face time, we talk.
"And then you got like T.J. McConnell. Random, 'cause I worked out with him a few times in the summer. And he's such a good kid and he wants it. I enjoy watching them play even though they are in our division. I enjoy watching them play, I don't cheer for them at all, but I'm happy the city has a reason to sell out there at the Wells Fargo (Center)."
Lowry, 32, missed the Raptors game on Sunday with a back injury and was originally listed as doubtful for tonight's game. However, Lowry reportedly says he'll play.
Lowry is averaging 14.1 points, 9.2 assists and just 2.8 turnovers per game this season. Lowry is second in the NBA in assists per game, while Simmons is third (8.1). Lowry (fifth appearance) and Simmons (first) were recently named all-stars.
