Celtics' Rajon Rondo hopes to play on opening night
Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo said in an interview with Comcast Sports Net New England that he is hopeful he can play on opening night.
The Celtics announced last week that Rondo underwent surgery after breaking a bone in his hand.
Rondo suffered the injury when he fell at his home last Thursday and is expected to miss six to eight weeks, according to the release.
"Hopefully I won't miss any games this year," Rondo said in an exclusive interview with CSNNE's Mike Gorman. "Lord willing I heal correctly and I'll be back in no time.
"They're telling me 6-to-8 [weeks]. But that means nothing to me."
Gorman then asked if Rondo would be a possibility for Opening Night at the end of October.
"Always," Rondo said.
"I'm sure they're going to be very cautious and Danny [Ainge, Celtics President of Basketball Operations] already said it. When I'm ready, like I said this isn't my knee this is a finger."
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Rondo has played only 68 games over the past two seasons due a torn ACL suffered in January 2013. He has been rumored as a potential trade chip but has denied asking the team to be traded.
The 28-year-old has averaged 11.1 points and 8.4 assists over eight seasons with the Celtics. Last season he posted averages of 11.7 points and 9.8 assists.
The Celtics, which went 25-57 and missed the playoffs in 2013-14, open the upcoming season Oct. 29 against the Brooklyn Nets.
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- Chris Johnson
