Rajon Rondo could still sit out on Monday
Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo sat out with a left hamstring injury in their 102-101 loss against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday 21 November, and the league-leader in assists could still miss their game against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday 22 November.
Rondo, who averaged 11.2 points and 14.3 points in their first 12 games this season, hurt his hamstring in their loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday 19 November, and was held out on Sunday 21 November as precautionary measure.
“He’s doing better,” said Celtics head coach Doc Rivers. “He felt pretty good, just a hamstring. There is a little something there, not bad, but with hamstrings, if this was a playoff game would he play? Yeah, but we have back-to-backs, and if we do not play
him in both, then we have three days off. We want to get him healthy.”
Doc Rivers also added that they are taking a cautious approach on Rondo’s injury that is why team trainer Eddie Lacerte ruled him out again against the Hawks, although there is nothing serious in Rondo’s injury.
“You just don’t want to take any chances with that,” said Rivers. “It was Eddie’s decision. I lean 99 percent to not playing someone in that situation.”
Without Rondo, Rivers will likely start Nate Robinson again after an impressive performance in their game against the Raptors. The 26-year-old point guard and three-time slam dunk champion scored a season-high 22 points on 8-for-14 shooting from the field,
earning praise from all-star power-forward Kevin Garnett.
“Nate was great,” Garnett said. “I thought he did a great job of getting us in sets. He was responsible, took control of his team. While Rondo’s out, everybody’s going to have to pitch in a little bit, and help with what he brings, and everybody’s going to
have to be a little responsible.”
Delonte West, on the other hand, is still struggling to find his form because of back spasms, adding more pressure on Robinson’s shoulder, as he tries to help the Celtics snap their two-game losing skid.
“Mainly because Delonte is injured with his back,” said Rivers. “We have to watch his minutes, and Nate knows more of our stuff. Delonte does not know as many of our offensive sets, which hurts everybody on the floor. It affects everyone when you change the
point guard spot.”
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