Returning from the 2024 NBA All-Star break, the Philadelphia 76ers looked forward to utilizing their newest addition, Kyle Lowry.

This season, Lowry started the year off as a member of the Miami Heat once again. As it was clear the Heat had been scanning the point guard market since the offseason, the chances of Lowry sticking around down South Beach long-term were lowering as the season progressed.

A little over 35 games into Lowry’s run this year, the Heat traded him to the Charlotte Hornets, landing a younger veteran guard in the deal in Terry Rozier.

With Lowry joining a rebuilding squad at 37 years old, it was apparent he might land a buyout and search for a different opportunity on the free agency market. When Lowry and the Hornets agreed to a buyout, the Sixers came calling.

Thursday was Lowry’s official return to Philly, offering him his first chance to play for his hometown hoops team. As expected, the city was excited to see one of their own suit up for the team. Before the game, 76ers forward Tobias Harris attempted to get Lowry to begin his Sixers stint off with a pregame slam dunk to set the crowd off. Instead, Lowry rejected the request.

Before every game, Harris dribbles front and center in front of the squad and looks out for a dunk candidate to set the mood right for the team before a game. The seasoned veteran got a good laugh out of the request but wanted no part of participating on Thursday.

Being that he hasn’t appeared in a matchup since January 21 and has never been recognized as much of a dunker, Lowry was preserving his energy ahead of his first game in over a month.

On Thursday, he checked in for 25 minutes. During that time, he accounted for 11 points, five assists, and four rebounds while hitting on five of his seven shots.