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, scoring 28 points in a 128-105 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Leonard, wearing a face guard to protect his mouth area, started and played 30 minutes 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.
Leonard was 9-of-17 from the field against the Blazers and added three rebounds, seven assists, three steals and a block.
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.