Rajon Rondo hoping to return for season opener
Rondo will take more contact in practice over the next week and could be back for the Celtics’ opener against the Nets next Wednesday.
Mike Lawrie
Rajon Rondo is hoping to return from a broken hand in time for the Boston Celtics' season opener against the Brooklyn Nets next Wednesday, according to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald.
Rondo broke his left hand prior to the start of training camp and was expected to miss six-to-eight weeks, but there are signs that he could be ready in time for the opener. Rondo has been taking light contact in practice, and Celtics head coach Brad Stevens said the hand has reacted well.
The next step is to increase the amount of contact Rondo takes in practice, and if that goes well, he may be cleared for game action:
“The biggest thing over the next few days is determining if it’s as healed as it needs to be,” said coach Brad Stevens of Rondo’s hand. “And all indications are that it’s healing really quickly, the surgery was a great success, and I think he’s more ready to roll than not.
“I think he feels great. I think he’s got good mobility and flexibility, and he bends his fingers well and all that other stuff that they make you do when you’re hurt.”
If Rondo isn't ready to go for the opener, Celtics first-round pick Marcus Smart will get the call in the starting lineup. Smart really struggled in his first few preseason games, but he put forth his best effort of the exhibition slate against the Nets on Wednesday, scoring 16 points in 16 minutes.
Still, the ideal is for Rondo to be ready to go, and that’s looking more likely than it did when the injury first occurred.
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