Update: Rajon Rondo Is Late-Game Scratch For Game 3 Because of Pregame Back Spasms
Rajon Rondo is out for Game 3 of the Lakers' first-round playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers because of back spasms that occurred pregame, according to the Lakers.
Lakers coach Frank Vogel initially said that Rondo would be active for Game 3 during his pregame media availability Saturday. Rondo then experienced the setback and was a late-game scratch.
Rondo, who sustained a fractured right thumb in the Lakers' second practice inside the NBA bubble July 12, has been out for nearly six weeks.
Rondo practiced for the first time Monday after leaving the bubble to undergo surgery to repair the thumb July 15. He was expected to return to full basketball activities between six-to-eight weeks.
Rondo, a four-time All-Star and one-time NBA champion in 2008, was averaging 7.1 points, three rebounds and five assists in 20.5 minutes a game before the season was suspended March 11.
The top-seeded Lakers are tied with the eighth-seeded Trail Blazers, 1-1. Game 3 is at 5:30 p.m. PST on ABC.
