Report: Rajon Rondo Targeting Return Date of Jan. 17, When Celtics Host Lakers at TD Garden

Rajon Rondo could be back on the court in a game for the Celtics within a week, if he has his way.

The Celtics point guard is targeting Friday’s home game against the Los Angeles Lakers for his return from a torn ACL, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports reports. If that date holds, his return would be less than a year after Rondo initially injured the knee and a little more than 11 months since he underwent surgery on Feb. 13, 2013.

Rondo and the Celtics had expressed interest in the four-time All-Star spending some time with the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League, but Rondo backed out of Tuesday’s game after having a “bad dream.” Rondo told reporters Friday morning that he would return before the All-Star break, but did not set a hard date then.

Rondo, 27, is a two-time league assists champ. He was chosen to his fourth All-Star game last season but was unable to play due to his injury.