Friendly fire dampened the Los Angeles Clippers’ rousing 121-108 win over the Denver Nuggets on Christmas Day as Kawhi Leonard suffered a bloodied mouth from teammate Serge Ibaka.

Leonard took an inadvertent elbow to the face from Ibaka during a rebound play midway through the 4th quarter – resulting in an abrupt departure for the Clippers star.

After lying on the floor for quite some time, Leonard left the court on his own and headed to the locker room.

Leonard needed 8 stitches for his mouth laceration, according to NBA reporter Malika Andrews.

Despite the gruesome injury, Leonard and the Clippers must probably be glad to finally get back at the Nuggets, who stunned and eliminated them in the playoffs last season.

The Clippers comfortably led 3-1 in the Western Conference semifinals against the Nuggets, only to lose the next 3 games.

Before his exit, Leonard tallied 21 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals in 30 minutes of action.

The Clippers currently lead the Western Conference with a 2-0 record. – Rappler.com