Los Angeles, United States—Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard suffered a cut in his mouth that required eight stitches to seal but should be ready to face the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday (Monday Philippine time).
Leonard was injured in a collision with teammate Serge Ibaka in the fourth quarter of the Clippers’ 121-108 NBA victory at Denver.
Ibaka was going up for a defensive rebound when his elbow inadvertently hit Leonard’s face. Leonard slumped backward then crumpled to the floor. The All-Star bled profusely from his mouth as he was treated on the court with 6:07 left in the game.
The 29-year-old was able to stand up with assistance. Later he was helped off while bleeding from his mouth. He did not return as the club later revealed details of the injury.
“He’s going to be fine,” Clippers coach Ty Lue said. “He got up and walked off the floor so he’s good.”
Teammate Paul George said he was very concerned after seeing the bloodied Leonard on the floor.
“Really worried,” George said. “I was thinking of the worst. I didn’t know if he was concussed or how hard of a hit [it was] or what actually happened, because I didn’t see it. I just saw him laying on the ground. That was first and foremost, just making sure he was OK.”
Leonard had 21 points, seven assists and five rebounds against the Nuggets to lift the Clippers to 2-0.
The two-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player sparked San Antonio to the 2014 title and Toronto to the 2019 crown.