San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
STITCHED-UP KAWHI ‘FINE’
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard received eight stitches Friday after suffering a lacerated mouth while attempting to grab a rebound during the team’s 121-108 victory in Denver.
A timetable for his return is not yet known. The Clippers next play today at Staples Center against Dallas, with games on Tuesday and Wednesday, as well.
Leonard fell to the court inside Denver’s Ball Arena after the left side of his face was hit by the right elbow of teammate Serge Ibaka halfway through the fourth quarter. Television replays showed blood coming from Leonard’s mouth as the Clippers’ medical staff huddled around him.
Leonard walked off the court under his own power with 6:07 remaining in the game and did not return.
“He’s going to be fine,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said after the victory, which moved the Clippers to 2-0.
Leonard finished with 21 points, seven assists and five rebounds.
Saturday’s games
Magic 130, Wizards 120:
Terrence Ross scored 25 points as Orlando beat Washington, overcoming another triple-double by Russell Westbrook in his home debut for the Wizards.
Westbrook had 15 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists to become the fourth player in NBA history to record a triple-double in his team’s first two games. Magic Johnson (twice), Jerry Lucas, and Oscar Robertson previously accomplished the feat.
Trail Blazers 128, Rockets 126 (OT): CJ Mccollum hit a 3-pointer with 6.9 seconds left in overtime to cap a 44-point performance and give Portland the lead, and James Harden turned it over on the other end.
Harden finished with 44 points and 17 assists, while Damian Lillard had 32 points for the Blazers.
Spurs 119, Raptors 114:
Demar Derozan had 27 points and host San Antonio rallied in the final minute to beat Toronto.
Derozan’s 3-pointer with a minute remaining pulled the Spurs within 114-113, and they took a 115-114 lead on Lamarcus Aldridge’s fadeaway put-back with 29.9 seconds remaining.
Kings 106, Suns 103: De’aaron Fox had 24 points, seven assists and five rebounds to lead visiting Sacramento past Phoenix.
Devin Booker scored 26 and Chris Paul had 22 points and 12 assists for the Suns.
Hawks 122, Grizzlies 112: Trae Young scored eight straight points down the stretch and finished with 36 points as visiting Atlanta beat Memphis.
Kevin Huerter added 21 points for the Hawks, who won their second straight. Ja Morant led Memphis with 28 points and seven assists.
76ers 109, Knicks 89: Joel Embiid had 27 points and 10 rebounds while remaining unbeaten at Madison Square Garden.
Ben Simmons had 15 points, nine rebounds and six assists while also leading the defensive effort that gave new coach Doc Rivers his 945th victory, moving ahead of Bill Fitch into sole possession of 10th place on the career list.
Thunder 109, Hornets 107: Shai Gilgeous-alexander hit a tiebreaking jumper with 1.4 seconds left and finished with 24 points, helping visiting Oklahoma City hold off a furious rally by Charlotte to win its season opener.
The Thunder led by 13 with 1:50 to go, but Miles Bridges spurred Charlotte with 11 of his 14 points in the final 1:06.
Cavaliers 128, Pistons 119 (2OT): Collin Sexton scored 32 points and three of his teammates had at least 21 points, helping Cleveland beat host Detroit in two overtimes.
Cleveland center Andre Drummond had 23 points and 16 rebounds, Darius Garland added 21 points and 12 assists, and Cedi Osman had 22 points.
Pacers 125, Bulls 106: Domantas Sobonis had 22 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, and Indiana used big scoring runs in the second and third quarters to cruise past host Chicago.
T.J. Warren scored 23 points and Victor Oladipo added 22 asfor Indiana.
Timberwolves 116, Jazz 111: D’angelo Russell had 25 points and six assists to lead visiting Minnesota past Utah.
Karl-anthony Towns added 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Timberwolves.
Notable
Marveling once again, Stephen Curry made 105 straight 3-pointers to finish practice Saturday leading into Golden State’s game today game at Chicago.
The Warriors said they captured the final 103 on video at the Bulls’ practice facility. Curry’s shots were counted by his longtime shooting man, assistant Bruce Fraser.