Blake Griffin/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers, NBA.com

Blake Griffin will return to the Clippers on Sunday afternoon when they host the Houston Rockets at 12:30 p.m. at Staples Center.

Griffin has missed 15 games because of a staph infection in his right elbow. The Clippers (42-24) went 9-6 in is absence.

Coach Doc Rivers made the decision after Griffin participated in pregame drills, but his decision was based on what the training staff had told him.

“The trainers, yesterday they called and say he can go, he’s been cleared,” Rivers said.

Griffin was expected to start. He is the team’s leading scorer at 22.5 points per game.