WALTHAM, Mass. — The Boston Celtics had their floor general back at practice Tuesday.
Rajon Rondo rejoined the team on the practice court and was a full participant after missing Saturday’s game to have three screws removed from his surgically repaired left hand.
“I feel OK,” Rondo said after practice. “I feel rested. It’s a little sore, but nothing I can’t play with.”
Head coach Brad Stevens said Rondo had no limitations during the session and is expected to play Wednesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“From everything I gather, it was just a quick in-and-out as far as getting into his hand and taking the screws out,” Stevens said. “They anticipated him being back and full go by (Tuesday), and he was. No issues.”
The Celtics defeated the Chicago Bulls 106-101 on Saturday, with Evan Turner running the point in Rondo’s absence. Stevens said Rondo would return to his usual starting spot against the Thunder but didn’t specify who would be the first point guard off the bench. Turner and Phil Pressey both should see time at the position after notching season-high minutes totals against Chicago.
“(Turner and Pressey)Â could come in at the same time and both play with the ball,” Stevens said. “I’m not as worried about it from a standpoint of who is ‘the point guard.’ They’ll both run the point for us (Wednesday).”
Rondo said he felt some discomfort in his hand late last week, which prompted team doctor Brian McKeon to act quickly.
“The screws were irritating me a little bit,” he said. “I was getting X-rays on it weekly. Dr. McKeon thought I’d be able to make it to All-Star weekend, but I wasn’t. He kind of pulled the trigger the next day.”
Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge made the decision for Rondo to skip the Chicago trip at halftime of Friday’s game, according to the point guard (Rondo said he wasn’t informed until after the game). Judging by his comments Tuesday, it seemed that Rondo did not entirely agree with that call.
“I just wanted to go travel with my team and play in Chicago,” Rondo said. “… We had a day off Sunday anyway, and I thought I could do (the surgery) Sunday, but they make the decisions.”
Rondo is averaging 9.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and a team-high 11.2 assists through five games this season.
Thumbnail photo via David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports Images
