Rondo Participates In Contact Drills, Status For Opener Still Unknown
BOSTON (CBS) -- Rajon Rondo is still wearing a protective pad on his left hand, but the Celtics point guard has started to participate in contact drills.
Celtics head coach Brad Stevens said Rondo, who is four weeks removed from surgery, isn't completely back just yet but is improving with every day.
"He's progressing well," Stevens said Wednesday night. "He'll continue to do a little bit more in practice. Did a little bit more yesterday. Anytime that it's even close to a contact-esque drill that he's been allowed to do, he has a nice-sized pad on his hand. Still not fully good to go but certainly working that way."
It's still unclear if Rondo will be good to go for opening night next Wednesday against the Brooklyn Nets. Stevens mentioned it was a possibility on Monday, but the player did not want to set a return date.
Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge was on 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher & Rich on Thursday, and while he didn't have an update on Rondo's availability next week, said it all depends on how much his hand has healed.
"It all depends, if the bone is healed – he'll go. He'll have tests early next week just to see where it is," said Ainge. "The most important thing in this, this is a bone and we want to make sure it's healed before he gets out there to play."
While his status remains uncertain, just returning to contact drills is another bit step in the right direction for Rondo.
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