Vogel: Lakers 'hopeful' Rondo will return for Round 2

Rajon Rondo is nearing his return to the Los Angeles Lakers lineup.

Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said after practice Monday that the team is optimistic it'll have the point guard available at some point during its second-round matchup.

"He looked good (in practice)," Vogel told reporters, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "We're hopeful to have him this series."

Rondo missed the Lakers' eight seeding games and their first-round series against the Portland Trail Blazers while recovering from a fractured thumb and later dealing with back soreness.

After eliminating Portland in five games, Los Angeles will face either the Houston Rockets or Oklahoma City Thunder in the upcoming Western Conference semifinals. The Rockets can eliminate the Thunder with a win in Game 6 on Monday.

Rondo averaged 7.1 points, five assists, and three rebounds in 48 games for the Lakers this season.