A bloody Kawhi Leonard was forced out of LA Clippers’ game against the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter on Friday night after a collision with a teammate that required eight stitches to treat a mouth wound.
Serge Ibaka was on his way for a defensive rebound when his elbow collided with Leonard’s mouth, instantly knocking the Clippers’ All-Star to the ground. Leonard bled profusely from his mouth while being treated on the floor before being helped back to the locker room with 6:07 time left in the game.
Without Leonard, the Clippers got a bit of revenge by holding onto a big lead in the second half and beating the Nuggets 121-108 in Denver. The Nuggets had previously defeated the Clippers in the second round of the playoffs last season after LA blown a 3-1 series lead.
Leonard left Friday’s game with the Clippers up 108-97. He had 21 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 4 steals in 30 minutes.
“I didn’t even see it,” said Clippers coach Ty Lue after the game as Leonard was being evaluated. ‘… He’ll be fine. He got up and walked off the floor, so he’s good. ‘