LOS ANGELES — Kawhi Leonard returned to action for the LA Clippers on Wednesday for the first time since suffering a mouth laceration on Christmas night.
Leonard, wearing a face guard to protect his mouth area, started against the Portland Trail Blazers after a two-game absence due to the injury suffered at Denver last Friday.
The injury required eight stitches, and Leonard missed games against the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Though Leonard returned to the starting lineup, the Clippers still were without starting power forward Marcus Morris Sr., who has yet to play this season because of a knee injury.