Lowry: 'Sucks' that Raptors can't return to Toronto this season

The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday they would keep playing home games in Tampa for the duration of the season due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions at the U.S.-Canadian border.

Kyle Lowry says the team's players understand why.

"With the virus, the Canadian government is doing everything to protect the country and protect the citizens," Lowry told reporters after Toronto's 120-106 loss to the Boston Celtics.

"Yeah, (the NBA has) very strict protocols, but the protocols can only protect you to a certain extent. We completely understand why the country of Canada and the government is really tight right now.

"Now we know that we're going to be here, guys can really try to settle in."

The announcement could be impactful for Lowry in particular. It's possible the franchise cornerstone - who will be a free agent after the season ends - has already played his last game in Toronto in a Raptors uniform.

The six-time All-Star, who turns 35 next month, said the Raptors still feel a connection to Toronto from 1,300 miles away despite the circumstances.

"You always feel the connection, right, that's our home," Lowry said. "That's where we play. At the end of the day, the Toronto Raptors are on the front of our jersey. We still know that the fans are supporting us to the utmost that they can, we wish we were playing in front of those guys.

"It's unfortunate that the world is in this situation, but as professionals, as men, we have to do our job. We would love to be home, we would love to be in front of our fans, it just sucks that we can't be, but the connection is still there."