LOS ANGELES — The LA Clippers were able to rebound from their most lopsided loss in franchise history without Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard did not suit up in a 124-101 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night as the All-Star forward missed his second consecutive game because of a mouth laceration. Leonard suffered the injury midway through the fourth quarter of the Clippers’ win at the Denver Nuggets on Christmas night. The injury required eight stitches to close.
“I am not sure when he’s getting the stitches out,” Clippers coach Ty Lue said before facing Minnesota. “But he’s right now just day-to-day and recovery.”
The Clippers, playing the first game of a home back-to-back set against Minnesota and the Portland Trail Blazers, also were without starting power forward Marcus Morris Sr. Morris has yet to play this season because of a knee injury, but he returned to practice on Monday and looked good, Lue said.
Without Leonard and Morris on Sunday, the Clippers trailed 77-27 in the first half before losing 124-73 at home to the Dallas Mavericks. The 51-point loss was the worst defeat in franchise history, and the 50-point halftime lead by the Mavericks was the largest halftime advantage in NBA history.