Rondo likely to return Thursday vs. Timberwolves
With the Los Angeles Lakers growing desperate for playmaking, point guard Rajon Rondo is on track to suit up against the Minnesota Timberwolves this week after missing 14 games while recovering from hand surgery.
"I think Rondo will play Thursday as long as he continues to move with no setbacks until then, but that will be something that we'll keep pushing him and we'll re-evaluate each morning," head coach Luke Walton said after the Lakers' loss to the Golden State Warriors on Monday, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
The Lakers will be without starting point guard Lonzo Ball for four-to-six weeks after he suffered an ankle sprain Saturday against the Houston Rockets. Primary distributor LeBron James has been sidelined for 14 games - the longest stretch of his career - as he continues to recover from a groin strain.
Rondo will likely be inserted into the starting rotation to add a veteran presence and ball-handler for the struggling Lakers - who have dropped nine of their last 14 games, slipping to ninth in the Western Conference.
"It gives us a leader, a leader on the basketball floor," starting forward Brandon Ingram said of Rondo. "Puts us in our spots on the offensive end. Pushes the pace. He can score the basketball. And it just makes our team better."
The 32-year-old is averaging 8.4 points and 6.7 assists in 14 appearances.