LOS ANGELES -- Kawhi Leonard will play for the LA Clippers on Wednesday for the first time since suffering a mouth laceration on Christmas night.

Clippers head coach Ty Lue said Leonard will return against the Portland Trail Blazers after a two-game absence due to the mouth injury suffered at Denver last Friday night.

The injury required eight stitches, and Leonard missed games against the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves.

While Leonard returns to the starting lineup, the Clippers will still be without starting power forward Marcus Morris Sr., who has been out all season with a knee injury.