Yi needs 50 stitches to repair cut lip

New Jersey Nets' Chinese forward Yi Jianlian is expected to miss at least another week of NBA action after requiring 50 stitches to repair a cut upper lip.

Yi, who has missed 15 games with a sprained right knee, had hoped to return Sunday.

But he was accidentally elbowed by teammate Sean Williams while playing 3-on-3 after practice on Saturday.

"Sometimes these things work out for the best," coach Kiki Vandeweghe said. "He really wanted to get back, was very anxious to get back, so maybe he was hurrying himself a little bit and he'll be fully recovered when he gets back."

Yi hasn't played since hurting his knee in a game against Charlotte last month. He has been been sidelined since injuring his knee in a game against Charlotte early last month.

The Chinese Olympian is averaging 9.8 points and 7.5 rebounds this season.