Dwane Casey Comments on Kyle Lowry's Exit Before End of 1st Half vs. Cavaliers

Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry's early exit in the final moments of the first half in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers might have raised some eyebrows around the league, but it didn't bother head coach Dwane Casey. 

"Kyle did not walk out on his team," Casey told the media Friday, per ESPN.com's Mike Mazzeo. "He and Cory Joseph use the bathroom more than any two human beings I know during the game. ... I don't think he quit on his team."

Lowry told the media after the game Thursday night that it was to "decompress," per Mazzeo.

On Friday, he elaborated, per Mazzeo:

"

It's whatever. I think it's an overreaction, personally. I've done it countless times. Maybe I went to go to the bathroom. I've done it before, going to the bathroom. It's just the magnitude of the situation, which makes it a lot bigger than what it really it is.

So next time I'll clarify, "Hey, I'm going to the bathroom," or "Hey, I'm doing this." I'll make sure I'm clear on it so everyone knows.

"

Had the Raptors closed out the second half better without Lowry, this might not have become much of a story. When Lowry left for the locker room with two-and-a-half minutes remaining in the second quarter, the Raptors were down by just five points despite his struggles—he had recorded two points, shot 0-of-4 from three-point range and committed five turnovers.

By the time the half had ended, though, the Cavaliers had a 62-48 lead, which was a comfortable enough cushion to breeze to a 108-89 victory.

It's been a nightmare series for Lowry so far, as he's averaged 9.0 points, 4.0 assists and 4.5 turnovers per game on 28.6 percent shooting from the field, a significant drop-off from his regular-season marks of 21.2 points, 6.4 assists and 2.9 turnovers per game on 42.7 percent shooting.

If the Raptors want to make this a competitive series, they're going to need Lowry to stay on the court as much as possible and shake off his struggles, or else they'll be headed home quickly. 

Stats courtesy of ESPN.com.