Raptors' Ibaka gets stitches in forehead after elbowed by Leonard

Serge Ibaka needed stitches after getting elbowed in the forehead by Toronto Raptors teammate Kawhi Leonard in the first quarter on Tuesday, but the centre returned to the playoff game against the visiting Philadelphia 76ers to start the second quarter. With 4:25 left in the opening period of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, the teammates both went for a rebound, and Leonard's left elbow caught Ibaka in the head.

A bloodied Ibaka left for the locker room with a towel pressed to his forehead. However, he soon returned to action with a bandage over the wound, around which appeared to be a large lump.

The Raptors' official Twitter account replied to a photo of Ibaka post-stitches with the remark: "They make 'em TOUGH up North" Ibaka had six points in 10 first-half minutes, and the Raptors led 64-43 at halftime. Entering the game, Ibaka was averaging eight points and 6.3 rebounds in the postseason, down from his regular-season averages of 15 points and 8.1 boards.

(With inputs from agencies.)