All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry withdrew from Team USA after admitting his surgically-repaired thumb is not ready, and now head coach Gregg Popovich has lost another guard. Lowry didn’t participate in training camp but hoped his thumb would heal in time to participate in the World Cup. However, that didn’t happen.
Lowry had surgery last month to repair a torn tendon that troubled him during the NBA playoffs, and Popovich kept him on the roster with hopes of using him late in training camp. But following a meeting with his surgeon, Lowry realized he was not going to be able to represent his country in China.
“I was hoping to be available in time to help my country in their quest for gold in this upcoming tournament,” Lowry wrote on Instagram. “I love playing for USAB but I have to sit this one out and support the team from home.”
Lowry will now focus on returning to full health for the beginning of the new NBA campaign. The Toronto Raptors begin the defense of their NBA title against the New Orleans Pelicans at home on October 22.
Now, Popovich is facing selection problems as he is left with 15 players on the roster, and only 12 of them can travel with Team USA to the World Cup. Losing a player of Lowry’s profile could affect the squad, and Kemba Walker will have more responsibilities in the backcourt. The other guards on the roster are De’Aaron Fox (Sacramento Kings), Joe Harris (Brooklyn Nets), Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz), Marcus Smart (Boston Celtics), and Derrick White (San Antonio Spurs).
