Lowry leads Raptors to best start in franchise history, sets team record for triple-doubles
The Toronto Raptors are off to their best start in franchise history at 5-1, thanks in large part to the performance of point guard Kyle Lowry.
Lowry led the charge on throwback night at Air Canada Centre on Friday, as the Raptors steamrolled the Washington Wizards 103-84 in what was expected to be a tight game between two teams firmly in the second tier of Eastern Conference contenders.
Balancing a need to create offense with his ever-present desire to keep teammates involved, Lowry finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists, recording his first triple-double of the season.
It marks the NBA's third triple-double of the young season, the sixth of Lowry's career and, notable on a night with several Raptors alumni in the house, his fourth as a Raptor. Lowry is now the franchise's all-time leader in triple-doubles, passing Damon Stoudamire for the distinction.
He also did this to poor Andre Miller:
With the strong outing, Lowry is averaging 18.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and six assists. Perhaps most impressively, Lowry's four turnovers Friday upped his season total to just six, an average of one every 34 minutes.
The Raptors have never started as strong as 5-1 in their history, lending hope that last year's franchise-best record is merely the first of many Raptor records this core will topple. Things remain fairly easy with six consecutive home games on the docket, only two of which come against teams expected to be .500 outfits this year.