Raptors' Lowry battling elbow injury

Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry had his elbow drained after Monday's dismal showing against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Lowry, the Raptors' centerpiece, has battled the injury since the team traveled to London to face the Orlando Magic in January, TSN's Josh Lewenberg reports.

In 31 games since, Lowry has played 38.6 minutes per game - a tally that would easily lead all players in the league. As it were, he ranks second to only James Harden in minutes per game this season.

Instead of resting, Lowry tried to play through the injury, but he does hope some time off could improve his condition.

There was no dip in Lowry's production until very recently, when he re-injured his elbow two weeks ago in yet another showdown with Orlando. In four games since, Lowry has shot 26.2 percent from the field, 20 percent from deep, and just 58.8 percent from the free-throw line.

With the Raptors sitting with a comfortable five-game lead for second in the East, the team would be best to give Lowry some time off. He leads the Raptors in assists, steals, threes, and ranks second in points and plus-minus.