Report: Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo out indefinitely with back injury
Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo has been ruled out indefinitely with a back injury sustained in Game 2 of the team's playoff series with the Houston Rockets, ESPN's Mark Stein reports.
Rondo played only 10 minutes in Dallas' Game 2 loss Tuesday, scoring four points. The Mavericks were -11 with the point guard on the floor in the 12-point loss.
Asked about Rondo's future with the team on Wednesday, Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said he did not expect Rondo to return next season.
After Tuesday's game, Mavericks' coach Rick Carlisle was asked if Rondo cared about his benching, according to ESPN.
• GOLLIVER: Mavs guard Rajon Rondo benched during Game 2 loss
"You have to ask him that question," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said. "All I know right now is that we need everybody at their competitive best.
"This isn't about one guy who did or didn't play. This is about everybody pulling in the same direction for the organization. That's what it's about."
Dallas acquired Rondo from the Celtics in December. The Mavericks were 19-8 before the trade and 31-26 since, including two playoff losses.
The 29-year-old Rondo averaged 9.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists in 46 regular season games for the Mavericks, all below his career averages.
• Thunder fire head coach Scott Brooks
Rondo and Carlisle had a notable spat in February, when the point guard appeared to ignore the coach's instructions in the third quarter of a game against the Raptors, forcing Carlisle to use a timeout. The two exchanged words, and Rondo did not return to the game. The Dallas Morning News reported that Rondo and Carlisle had a second heated exchange in the locker room following the loss. Rondo was then suspended for the following game.
Mavericks backup point guard Devin Harris missed Tuesday's Game 2 with an injury. J.J. Barea and Raymond Felton saw significant minutes for Dallas as Rondo sat.
- Alex Putterman
