BOSTON — Rajon Rondo has yet to play two games on consecutive nights since his return to the Celtics in January. That will not change Saturday, regardless of whether he is in uniform.
Rondo missed Friday’s game against the Charlotte Bobcats with what the team termed a bruised left shin. Still, his absence does not mean he will be available for the Celtics’ next game in Cleveland, which he was previously scheduled to miss.
“I don’t know (if Rondo will play Saturday),” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. “Obviously, if he feels good, he can, because it’s not a back-to-back for him. But I don’t know.”
Rondo was a late scratch after going through warmups with head athletic trainer Ed Lacerte. Rondo apparently felt enough discomfort that he could not play. Phil Pressey was thrust into a starting role less than an hour before tip-off and responded by scoring 10 points and handing out a career-high 13 assists.
Stevens has other injuries to worry about as well. Jerryd Bayless left the game with a sprained right knee and did not return. Jared Sullinger suffered a mild left ankle sprain but came back to score 20 points in the Celtics’ 106-103 victory. Kris Humphries played through right knee tendinitis, and Avery Bradley again gutted through a sore right Achilles.
Bayless did not travel with the team to Cleveland; he will have an MRI and will join them Saturday if the scan is clear. Sullinger and Bradley are expected to play against the Cavaliers. Humphries’ status will be a game-time decision.
