The Raptors sit at the top of the East, with a sterling 13-3 record. The positive end to last season, which included the team's first playoffs appearance in five years, carried over and Toronto seems like as good a bet as any to come out of the East. But they might be forced to try and stay afloat without one of their stars for a while, as DeMar DeRozan had to leave Friday's game against the Mavericks with a groin strain.
DeMar DeRozan injury: Raptors guard suffers torn left adductor longus tendon
The Raptors’ wing had to leave the game in the third quarter and didn’t return. He hopes to return in four weeks or less, according to a report.
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On Saturday, the team announced DeRozan’s injury:
Update on @Raptors DeMar DeRozan. Tests revealed torn left adductor longus tendon. No timetable for return to bball activity. #rtz
— RaptorsMR (@RaptorsMR) November 29, 2014 DeRozan hopes to return in less than a month, but that’s optimistic, according to USA Today’s Sam Amick.
DeRozan was driving to the rim guarded by Dirk Nowitzki when he slipped and fell.
He felt the pull instantly and looked in pain as he left the court not to return again in the third quarter. It's unclear how many games -- if any -- he will miss with the injury but Raptors coach Dwayne Casey hinted that he might be out for a while: "It's some big shoes to fill, the next guy has to be ready to step up and pick up the slack." The Raptors fortunately have depth at the wing with Terrence Ross, Lou Williams, James Johnson and even Greivis Vasquez able to provide some minutes there.
DeRozan iss averaging 19.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists this season and has been remarkably durable so far in his six-year career, having missed only a combined 10 games so far.
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