SPORTS

Raptors' DeRozan returns from injury tonight in Toronto

The Canadian Press Published Wednesday, January 14, 2015 7:13PM EST

Toronto Raptors forward DeMar DeRozan, left, battles for the ball against Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap, right, during first half NBA basketball action in Toronto on Wednesday, October 29, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

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TORONTO -- Toronto Raptors all-star DeMar DeRozan was set to start Wednesday night against the Philadelphia 76ers, marking his return from injury.

DeRozan missed 21 games with a torn groin tendon.

The 25-year-old guard was averaging 19.4 points and 4.2 rebounds a game this season before injuring his groin in a game against the Dallas Mavericks on Nov. 28.

He said last week that the injury was fully healed, but he wanted to participate in a few more practices before playing in a game.

The Raptors went 12-9 without DeRozan in the lineup but slipped to third in the Eastern Conference standings entering play Wednesday.

The injury was the longest of DeRozan's career. He'd previously missed just 11 games over his previous five seasons in the NBA combined.