Toronto Raptors all-star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan is expected to return Thursday at home against the Charlotte Hornets, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports.
DeRozan has missed Toronto’s last 17 games with a groin injury, with the Raptors going 11-6 in that span.
The 25-year-old was spotted on the practice court for the first time since the injury Thursday, aligning Spears’ report with a target Sportsnet’s Eric Smith layed out on Friday.
Before getting injured, DeRozan was averaging 19.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 7.8 free throw attempts per game, but struggled from the field, shooting just 39.4 percent.
The Raptors conclude their five-game foray out west Sunday against the Phoenix Suns.
