Chris Bosh Injury: Updates on Heat Star's Lip and Return

Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh was taken out of Monday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks after he was elbowed in the lip by Atlanta's Paul Millsap.

The Miami Heat's Twitter account relayed the injury shortly after it occurred with two minutes left in the fourth quarter of the close matchup:

"

#HEATgame: Chris Bosh (lacerated upper lip) is receiving stitches right now, his return is questionable.

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) December 24, 2013"

Bleacher Report's Ethan Skolnick gave the specifics on how many stitches Bosh received: 

"

Chris Bosh took 8 stitches in his lip.

— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) December 24, 2013"

It was a big collision between the two big men, as Millsap drove hard to the lane and connected with Bosh underneath the hoop. Bosh went flying to the floor beyond the baseline and was slow to get up while the team's training staff rushed to his aid.

Robby Kalland of Hawks.com described the scene in Miami:

"

Bosh is down, holding his head after colliding with Millsap.

— Robby Kalland (@RKalland) December 24, 2013"

Bosh's production has dipped slightly to start off the season, but he's still the most valuable part of Miami's frontcourt. Entering play Monday, Bosh was averaging 28.7 minutes in his 25 games played, with averages of 15.0 points and 6.2 rebounds on 52.6 percent shooting.

Bosh looked a bit dazed as he was being looked at on the floor, so hopefully he doesn't have any concussion-like symptoms going forward. If Bosh misses any time, look for Udonis Haslem to start as the team's center in coach Eric Spoelstra's small lineup that features guard Mario Chalmers and Dwyane Wade, and forwards LeBron James and Shane Battier.