Toronto Raptors 2014 Year in Review

Toronto Raptors Major Injury: Demar Derozan Suffers a Groin Tear

Nov 28, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) reacts after going down with a leg injury against the Dallas Mavericks at Air Canada Centre. The Mavericks beat the Raptors 106-102. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Raptors have been blessed the past year in that none of their key players have missed significant time due to injury. Until now. In a game against the Dallas Mavericks, swingman DeMar Derozan crumpled in a heap of pain as he tried to turn the corner on a drive. The cause: a torn left groin tendon (the tendon of the adductor longus muscle for all you anatomy buffs). The recovery time varies by source as some articles predict he will be back by the new year, while others are staying mum and saying there’s still no timetable.

Either way, this injury is obviously a huge blow to the Raptors as they not only lose one of their star players but a team leader at that. The early results have been rather encouraging (9-4 without their All Star) but the big test comes in the form of a six game Western Conference road trip to close out 2014. This will give fans, players and coaches a chance to see what this team is made of and just how much they will miss their star player.