It might not be ‘playoff Rondo’ but it sure felt like it tonight. After missing 14 straight games due to a torn ligament on his right ring finger, the Los Angeles Lakers were able to get their veteran signal caller back on the court. It wasn’t a return that would pop out to those box score warriors, but it was clear to see how desperate the Lakers were for Rajon Rondo’s play-making ability.
Credit must go to the Lakers and Luke Walton for battling through the multitude of injuries they have suffered since their Christmas day victory of the Golden State Warriors. The Lakers would lose Rondo and LeBron following that game and would more recently lose Lonzo Ball for 4-6 weeks to a sprained ankle in a loss to the Houston Rockets.
Rondo finished with 15 points, 13 rebounds, and six rebounds. Eight of those points came in the first quarter where he would ignite the Lakers offense by burying a three, and dishing out a few assists. He would spark the defensive effort as well showing active hands, while also taking the lone charge for the Lakers on the night from Karl-Anthony Towns.
https://twitter.com/LakersLair/status/1088645520397139969
It was a season high in assists for Rondo while also scoring his second highest point total. It is the first time that Rondo has achieved a double-double with points and assists since the second game of the season where the Lakers would fall to the Houston Rockets.
The Lakers will have to lean on Rondo to be the coach on the floor while LeBron remains on the shelf with his groin injury and hopefully he transforms into ‘playoff Rondo’ before it’s too late.
Rajon Rondo (10 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST) and Brandon Ingram (9 PTS) paced the @Lakers in the first half! #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/ERnMkk5UTg
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 25, 2019
