Kawhi Leonard will get stitches after taking elbow to face, Clippers beat Nuggets

DENVER — Kawhi Leonard had 21 factors earlier than taking an elbow to the face within the fourth quarter, Paul George scored 23 factors and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Denver Nuggets 121-108 on Friday night time.

The Clippers led by 11 with 6:11 left when Serge Ibaka went up for a rebound and caught the aspect of his teammate’s face together with his proper elbow. Leonard lay bleeding on the courtroom earlier than strolling to the locker room.

The Clippers stated after the sport that Leonard obtained eight stitches to deal with a mouth laceration. Head coach Tyronn Lue instructed reporters he believed Leonard will probably be “high quality.”

Nikola Jokic completed with 24 factors, 10 assists and 9 rebounds for Denver, which has dropped its first two video games of the season. Jamal Murray added 23 factors, 13 coming within the fourth.

The Nuggets rallied from double-digit second-half deficits in Video games 5, 6 and seven of the second-round sequence in September, successful all three and wiping out LA’s 3-1 result in advance to the Western Convention finals.

Denver wasn’t in a position to do it once more however made a run after trailing by 24 late within the third quarter. The Nuggets used an 11-0 run into early within the fourth, and two 3-pointers by Murray sliced a 98-74 deficit to 106-95 with 7:35 left.

Leonard went out quickly after however Denver by no means bought the deficit below 10.

TIP-INS

Clippers: F Marcus Morris (sore proper knee) missed his second straight sport, however coach Tyronn Lue stated he’s day-to-day. “He is been doing his personal rehab with the sports activities science staff and he is progressing,” Lue stated.

Nuggets: F JaMychal Inexperienced sat out with a left calf pressure. Inexperienced, who performed for the Clippers final season, has but to play within the common season after signing with Denver within the brief low season.

UP NEXT

Clippers: Host the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night time.

Nuggets: Host the Houston Rockets on Monday night time.