Rajon Rondo ‘Didn’t Feel There Was Need’ for NBA Investigation, Says He Was Joking When He Bumped Referee

Rajon Rondo was initially reluctant to tell his side of the story in his recent one-game suspension. After Celtics practice on Tuesday, he finally spoke — and continued to say confounding things.

During Boston’s victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, Rondo appeared to make contact with referee Rodney Mott, although that contact appeared to be minimal. Nonetheless, per its policy the NBA suspended Rondo for one game after reviewing replays in New York.

However, when Rondo’s suspension was announced, many found it far more interesting that the league announced the 26-year-old point guard had failed to “cooperate” with its investigation.

“I didn’t feel there was a need to have an investigation,” Rondo flatly told reporters, according to Comcast Sportsnet.

As for the bump itself, Rondo claimed that he was actually joking with Mott, but did admit to touching the referee. Replays of the play leading up to the bump — an offensive foul call called on Rondo with 3:19 left in the third quarter — seem to indicate that Rondo was upset and arguing the call.

“In the midst of it, I touched him,” said Rondo. “I did touch him.”

Rondo has long been known as an enigmatic personality, and this incident is surely only to bolster that reputation.