Rajon Rondo Injury: Latest Updates on Celtics Star's Wrist Injury

Update: Friday, February 3 at 7:10 p.m. EDT by Zachary D. Rymer

Good news, Celtics fans. Here's the latest from A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com:

Rondo hasn't played since Jan. 18 against the Toronto Raptors. Oddly enough, the Celtics have gone 6-2 in his absence.

Update: Friday, February 3 at 12:20 p.m. EDT by Adam Wells

Rondo is moving closer to returning with each passing hour. 

According to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe, the Celtics point guard was able to practice with the first team during shootarounds in preparation for tonight's game against the New York Knicks. 

He is listed as a game-time decision. He last played on January 18. The Celtics have gone 6-2 without him, but the offense can use an upgrade. His presence will bring back the confidence to this team that has been missing most of this season. 

Update: Tuesday, January 31 at 2:40 p.m. EDT by Alex Kay

Rajon Rondo may be back sooner than expected.

According to a report by A. Sherrod Blakely, Boston Celtics' coach Doc Rivers had this to say about his star point guard.

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"He's back pretty soon," Rivers said. "He may play tomorrow (versus Toronto), but I'd say closer to Friday would be the target date."

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The Celtics have been struggling without Rondo and could really use their best player back to give them a jolt. 

Update: Tuesday, January 31 at 11:10 a.m. EDT by Alex Kay

Rajon Rondo has been confirmed out tonight by A. Sherrod Blakely, Celtics Insider for CSNNE.com.

It was reported earlier in the week that Rondo is attempting to make a comeback before the All-Star Break, but still is going to need some extra time off until then.

The star point guard would have to return before the C's February 22nd showdown with the Oklahoma City Thunder if he wants to accomplish his goal. 

UPDATE: Sunday, January 29 at 10:25 a.m. EST by Timothy Rapp

Rajon Rondo will miss at least the next few weeks according to Jessica Camerato of CSNNE.com:

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The point guard was vague about his expected return, offering, “I am going to play—one day. Maybe like next—hopefully before All-Star Break. That’s my goal, to come back before All-Star. I’m going to try to get February, like my birthday, like before Oklahoma.”

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As Kurt Helin of ProBasketballTalk.com notes, Rondo's birthday is February 22. The All-Star Game is February 26.

This obviously isn't good news for the Boston Celtics, who initially were hoping the wrist injury would only sideline him for a short period of time. Still, Boston has managed a four-game winning streak minus the point guard, so perhaps they'll survive a few more weeks without him.

UPDATE: Friday, January 27 at 6:50 p.m. EST by Nicholas Goss

Rajon Rondo will not play Friday night against the Indiana Pacers, according to the team's radio play-by-play man Sean Grande of WEEI.

There is no reason for Boston to rush Rondo back to the lineup until he is fully healthy. The Celtics have not struggled too much without him, and backup point guard Avery Bradley has played well in his absence, especially at the defensive end of the floor. Bradley will start at point guard on Friday against a Pacers team that has beaten the Celtics three times already this season.

Update: Thursday, January 26 at 11:15 a.m. EDT

Rajon Rondo will not be active tonight according to A. Sherrod Blakely, the Celtics Insider for Comcast SportsNet New England.

The Celtics' point guard and best player this season will be missing his fourth game in less than a week because of a wrist injury he sustained last Wednesday night against the Toronto Raptors.

It's going to be an uphill battle for the C's, who will also be without Ray Allen and will doubtfully have Jermaine O'Neal active.

Fortunately, they might have figured out the Orlando Magic, their opponent tonight, and proved it by holding them to just 56 points when they played on Monday.

UPDATE: Tuesday, January 24 at 11:20 a.m. EST

"Rondo said he is close to returning but received word from team doctor Brian McKeon that he needed a few more days. Coach Doc Rivers said Rondo is expected to return for Thursday’s rematch against the Magic," according to Boston Globe's Gary Washburn. 

Celtics fans will continue to see what life without Rajon Rondo would be like as he is expected to miss another game.

UPDATE: Monday, January 23 at 6:49 p.m. EST

The Celtics will be without Rondo and Ray Allen tonight, according to CSNNE.com's A. Sherrod Blakely.

UPDATE: Monday, January 23 at 10:11 am EST

Celtics fans are waiting on Rondo's return and according to Doc Rivers, that return is sooner rather than later. 

ESPN reports: 

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Coach Doc Rivers said Rondo is close to returning.

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With Ray Allen having been injured yesterday, and the Celtics struggling, there may be a sense of urgency attached to Rondo's return to the hardwood. Look for him to wind up on the court much sooner than later. 

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When Rajon Rondo is the only young star on the Boston Celtics and he suffers a wrist injury, that certainly is concerning.

UPDATE: Saturday, January 21 at 11:57 am EST

According to the Washington Wizards' official Twitter account, Rondo is OUT for today's game against the Washington Wizards.

UPDATE: Saturday, January 21 at 7:15am EST

"Rajon Rondo (wrist) hopes to play on Sunday against the Wizards, but there is no timetable for his return," according to Rotoworld's Staff.

UPDATE: Friday, January 20 at 7:30pm EST

The Boston Globe is now reporting that in spite of the MRI results, Rondo will be out for tonight's meeting with Phoenix. Coach Doc Rivers made the call with advice from trainer Ed Lacerte.

Avery Bradley is slated to start tonight's game. Rondo is considered questionable for Boston's next game, Sunday vs. Washington.

UPDATE: Friday, January 20 at 1:00pm EST

After an MRI on his wrist came back negative, Rajon Rondo says he will play vs. Phoenix Suns tonight, according to A. Sherrod Blakley of CSN New England. 

Now it appears he may miss some time.

Tweeted A. Sherrod Blakely of CSN New England:

Rondo left Wednesday's game against the Toronto Raptors after taking a flagrant foul from Linas Kleiza in the third quarter.

Rondo has averaged 15.0 points, 9.4 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals this season, while shooting 51 percent from the floor.

What This Means for the Celtics

The Celtics can ill-afford to lose Rondo. With an aging squad that includes Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, it's certainly troubling that Rondo is becoming an injury concern, playing in 68 games last season.

The Celtics have started out 5-8 this season, sparking rumors that they may blow up "The Big Three" and think about rebuilding for the future. If Rondo is forced to miss a lot of time this season, this will only add fuel to the fire, as it's hard to imagine the Celtics going on a run without him.

Keyon Dooling, Rondo's backup who's been battling a sore knee, may play Friday against the Phoenix Suns. He's certainly a drop from Rondo, shooting 41 percent for his career, not to mention he's not a pure point guard. However, he is a good defender, so the Celtics won't suffer as much in that regard.

The Celtics were vocal this offseason about not having enough time to prepare after the NBA lockout. Kevin Garnett in particular had some harsh words for commissioner David Stern.

Said Garnett, via ESPN:

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Timing is everything. Chemistry is something that you don't just throw in the frying pan and mix it up with another something, then throw it on top of something, then fry it up and put it in a tortilla and put in a microwave, heat it up and give it to you and expect it to taste good. You know? For those of you who can cook, y'all know what I'm talking about. If y'all can't cook, this doesn't concern you.

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The Celtics certainly aren't cooking these days and Rondo's injury could cool them down even more.