Griffin could return to Clippers as early as Sunday

Blake Griffin's recovery from a staph infection in his elbow is moving along, and the power forward could return to the Los Angeles Clippers' lineup for Sunday's game against the Golden State Warriors, according to ESPN's Arash Markazi.

Clippers coach Doc Rivers told reporters Monday that Griffin is shooting and running full tilt just a week after stitches were removed from the elbow. He has missed nine games going into Monday's contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves, a stretch in which L.A. has risen above adversity to go 6-3, with wins over the Mavericks, Rockets, Spurs and Grizzlies.

A return against the Warriors could be fitting given the teams' strong dislike for each other. Griffin, the Clippers' leading scorer, has been keeping himself busy with funny tweets.