Rajon Rondo did the unthinkable on Saturday night, returning from a dislocated elbow to play the fourth quarter of the Celtics' Game 3 win over the Miami Heat. Now, a day later, it appears the worst is over for the C's 25-year-old point guard.
An MRI came back negative on Rondo's left elbow, according to the Boston Herald. With Rondo's elbow merely dislocated and not broken, it appears very likely he'll return Monday night as the C's host the Heat in Game 4 at the TD Garden.
Rondo left Game 3 with 7:01 left in the third quarter after colliding with Heat guard Dwyane Wade and falling on his elbow. He returned and played the entire fourth.
Rondo missed 14 games during the regular season this year with ankle and foot injuries, but he's never missed a playoff game in his five-year career. He's played in every single one of the Celtics' 71 postseason games during the Big Three era.
In other injury news, Delonte West felt much better Sunday after injuring his left shoulder in Game 3. He opted to forgo an MRI altogether. Rondo, West and Shaquille O'Neal — who returned Saturday from a calf injury — are all expected to play Monday in Game 4.
