Rajon Rondo’s Return Not Imminent, Could Be Late February Before Celtics Point Guard Plays in Game

The best-case scenario became an impossibility long ago. Now, the Celtics may have to move on to the third- or fourth-best scenario for Rajon Rondo‘s return.

Rondo, who was initially targeted for an optimistic early-December return date, told reporters in Indiana that it could be more than a month or two before he gets back to playing in games. Speaking after the Celtics’ loss to the Pacers, Rondo tabbed “mid-January, late February” as the earliest he can get his strength and stamina back.

Rondo was cleared last week for full-contact practice and called a post-practice scrimmage with teammates after one session. But he and the team have been adamant since his surgery last February that the All-Star point guard will not return to the court until he feels 100 percent.

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Rondo missed the last three months of last season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a double-overtime loss to Atlanta. He underwent surgery in February and has never set a firm timeline for his recovery.