Marcus Smart is looking like a clear starter for the Celtics. Especially for opening night. But hold on a minute. Rajon Rondo is not going down without a fight. Even though he still has the fractured left hand. According to the Boston Globe, Rajon Rondo might be ready for opening night.
Rondo, who has missed all of training camp with a fractured left hand, was cleared for full workouts, and Friday was the Celtics’ first full-contact practice since his clearance. The team will take the weekend off and return Monday, where Rondo could be cleared to return to game action.
Was expected to miss 8-10 weeks. He might be back in five.
“It will be a matter of how big that [protective] pad is,’’ said Celtics coach Brad Stevens . “That’s the biggest thing moving forward because it’s really about getting hit. Obviously seeing how he feels after this, we got Saturday and Sunday off but Monday, Tuesday, we should know more.”
From what Gary Washburn of the Globe has written. It seems like there’s a lot of precautions when it comes to Rondo. Opening night is a day away.
Rondo took jumpers with sleeves over his middle and ring fingers, but nothing protecting the top of the hand. He was expected to add the protective pad once practice intensified.
“I don’t know what the restrictions are from an NBA standpoint, but I’m sure they’ll work on that appropriately and if he’s able to play, they’ll come up with the right contraption for him to wear,” Stevens said.
Rondo may be participating in full practice but the padding and protection Rondo is wearing. I’m skeptical but if he’s ready. He’s ready.
