Rajon Rondo Dislocates Elbow, Finishes Game as Boston Celtics Defeat Miami Heat
Rajon Rondo dislocated his non-shooting elbow in the third quarter of the Boston Celtics’ 97-81 victory over the Miami Heat on Saturday Night.
The injury came on a play where Rondo was defending the Heat’s Dwyane Wade. The two managed to get tangled up during a Heat possession, which ended with Wade pulling Rondo down to the Floor.
Rondo attempted to brace the fall with his left hand, but wound up dislocating his elbow in the process, ESPN sideline Reporter Lisa Salters later informed the television audience.
Rondo lay on the court in pain for a couple of minutes, before being helped back to the locker room. The elbow was popped back into place by team physician Dr. Brian McKeon, and Rondo returned to the bench as the third quarter wound down to a standing ovation.
Now wearing a second arm sleeve, Rondo started the fourth quarter, but clearly was not at 100 percent, as he was handling the ball and passing it with only his right arm. However, in signature Rajon Rondo fashion, the point guard picked up a Jeff Green deflection and scored two on a fast-break layup, energizing the Celtics crowd.
In his postgame press conference, Celtics' coach Doc Rivers summed up Rondo’s desire to get back in the game by stating:
""The first report was dislocated, out, basically for good. And literally 30 seconds later I was in the huddle, and I saw Rondo walk by me. And it looked like he was going to play, and so I had to grab Eddie (Lacerte), and Eddie the last he had heard it was [out] too. Give Dr. McKeon credit, he told [Rondo] to go out there and see what you can do. If you can play, play, and that’s what he did."
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While the focus of the game was Rondo’s injury and his inspired return, the entire Celtics team played a stellar game tonight. Kevin Garnett led the charge with 28 points and 18 rebounds. Paul Pierce chipped in 27 points. Delonte West and Jeff Green also played well with both seeing a boost in minutes.
The Celtics and Heat will face off in Boston on Monday for Game 4. For a in-depth look at tonight’s game, check out more Celtics coverage.
