Carlisle Doesn't Expect Rondo To Play For Mavs Again
DALLAS (105.3 THE FAN) -- Point guard Rajon Rondo has played his last game with the Dallas Mavericks -- at least according to head coach Rick Carlisle.
It was announced Wednesday that the controversial point guard, who the Mavs acquired mid-season, is out indefinitely with a back injury.
Dallas could sign Rondo as a free agent this summer. Carlisle was asked if he anticipates Rondo ever wearing a Dallas Mavericks jersey again.
"No, I don't," said Carlisle. "I understand that the announcement that has been made is going to have different interpretations. I am giving you our interpretation of it, and this is fact. From here, we're moving forward. I'm done with Rondo questions."
While announced as an "injury," Rondo's indefinite absence appears to be more of a benching.
In Tuesday's game 2 loss to Houston, Rondo was benched in favor of JJ Barea and Raymond Felton and played just 10 minutes. That came on the heels of Rondo receiving an 8-second backcourt violation for walking the ball too slowly up court. In his brief stint on the court, he collected four fouls.
And in February, the 29-year-old was suspended one game for "conduct detrimental to the team" after he and Carlisle heatedly exchanged words during a timeout.
The Mavs will also be without forward Chandler Parsons, who will miss the rest of the playoffs as he explores surgical options to address a right knee injury.
Point guard Devin Harris has been upgraded to probable for Friday's Game 3 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
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