Rajon Rondo’s injury in game two of the first round was a big blow to the Chicago Bulls’ playoff hopes. The point guard was playing the best basketball of his season; without him, the Bulls have given away their 2-0 lead in the series, returning home court advantage to the number one seed Celtics.
Initial reports after he fractured his thumb had Rondo resuming basketball activities in two weeks, putting his return out of the range of the first round.
But Rondo has no use for your predictions on his health. According to Shams Charania of The Vertical, the guard is aiming to attempt a return in game five on Wednesday:
Rondo took steps Tuesday night to return from a fractured right thumb and attempt to play in Game 5 of the Bulls’ first-round series against the Boston Celtics, league sources told The Vertical. Around Rondo and the Bulls, there’s belief that the four-time All-Star has a chance to return but a final determination has not been made, league sources said.
There’s no telling how effective Rondo can be if he returns from the injury so soon. There’s almost no chance that the thumb is fully healed, but perhaps Rondo can live with the pain in his shooting hand.
The Bulls desperately miss Rondo’s presence as their point guard rotation without him has been nothing short of disappointing. If Rondo can contribute anything of value, the Bulls and Rondo may very well risk putting him on the court.
(UPDATE: 4/26/17) Rajon Rondo says he will miss game 5.
Rondo said he’s out for Game 5.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) April 26, 2017
