NBA Raptor Lowry to have wrist surgery

Kyle Lowry hoped the pain in his right wrist would go away so he could join the new-look Toronto Raptors on the court.

Now the goal is just to get back with them before the NBA playoffs.

The All-Star guard will have surgery on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT) to remove loose bodies from his wrist, and the Raptors say they hope he can return for the post-season.

Lowry took part in All-Star festivities in New Orleans, competing in the three-point contest and playing the next night in the All-Star Game. But he said there's been constant soreness since then and went on Monday for a second opinion before the Raptors played the New York Knicks.

"It was one of those things where we didn't know it was as serious as it was. That's why you get second opinions as he did and we decided, he decided to have it done now hopefully to be able to have some time before the playoffs to get some games in," Raptors coach Dwane Casey said.

Lowry is second on the team with his average of 22.8 points and leads the Raptors with 6.9 assists per game.