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Rondo suffered sports hernia; could reportedly miss 4 weeks

Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports / Action Images

New Orleans Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry announced that starting point guard Rajon Rondo suffered a sports hernia, per team broadcaster Daniel Sallerson.

The injury could reportedly see the four-time All-Star out of action for a month, sources with knowledge of the injury told the New Orleans Advocate's Scott Kushner.

Rondo will see a specialist Monday to confirm the extent of the injury and establish a recovery timeline.

After signing a one-year, $4.5-million contract with the Pelicans this summer, Rondo was counted on to run the team's powerful twin tower offense. If the veteran floor general misses significant time, it's likely that Jrue Holiday, who has started at point guard when healthy over the past four seasons, will move back to a ball-dominant role. Both DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis are also relatively skilled at initiating offense from the elbow.

But beyond the loss of Rondo's play-making ability, the Pelicans' already weak depth will be stretched even thinner. Solomon Hill was projected to start at small forward this year, but could end up missing the entire season after tearing his hamstring in late August. Third-string point guard Frank Jackson, a second-round draft pick in June, is recovering from a fracture in his left foot.

In the interim, the likes of E'Twaun Moore, Jordan Crawford, Tony Allen, Dante Cunningham, and Darius Miller will attempt to provide enough floor-spacing and defense on the wings for Holiday, Cousins, and Davis to carry the team.

The Pelicans' season tips off Oct. 18 against the Memphis Grizzlies.

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