Raptors' DeRozan out indefinitely with torn tendon

The red-hot Toronto Raptors will have to get by for an indefinite amount of time without star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan. 

DeRozan has a torn left adductor longus tendon and there is no timetable for his return to basketball activities, Toronto announced Saturday. 

The 25-year-old injured himself in the third quarter of Friday's loss to the Dallas Mavericks after slipping while attempting to drive to the basket. He missed the remainder of the game with what was described as a groin strain. 

This is the first significant injury DeRozan has sustained in his career. A model of good health, the California native has missed only 11 games since breaking into the league in 2009.

Toronto's wing depth will be tested without DeRozan, who is averaging a team-high 19.4 points and 33.6 minutes per game. 

DeRozan's aggressive play helps him get to the line at will, evidenced by his 7.8 free-throw attempts per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. His career-high 1.4 steals per game ranks second on the team, and he's also averaging 4.2 rebounds.

Inserting Lou Williams - whose averaging 14.3 points off the bench - into the starting backcourt alongside Kyle Lowry seems like the most obvious short-term solution for Raptors head coach Dwane Casey. Starting small forward Terrence Ross, backup point guard Greivis Vasquez and forward James Johnson also figure to take on larger roles while DeRozan is sidelined. 

DeRozan has taken major strides since signing a four-year, $38-million deal in October 2012. He was selected to his first All-Star team last season, helped the Raptors win the Atlantic Division and earned a spot on the USA men's national basketball team at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup. 

Toronto's strong backcourt of Lowry and DeRozan has been a key reason why the team sits atop the Eastern Conference with a 13-3 record.