KEY POINTS

  • Rajon Rondo suffers a 'significant' injury during the Lakers' practice on Sunday
  • Rondo's absence could be a massive blow to the Lakers' bid for the NBA title at the Orlando bubble
  • Fans expect Alex Caruso to have more playing time given the lesser options in the Lakers' backcourt

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Rajon Rondo suffered a hand injury during the team’s practice on Sunday. The said injury is said to be significant, prompting fears that the former All-Star could miss the remainder of the season at the Orlando bubble.

“Lakers guard Rajon Rondo suffered a ‘significant’ hand injury during practice on Sunday evening, sources told me and (Malika Andrews),” Dave McMenamin of ESPN posted.

“Rondo, 34, underwent medical evaluation on his hand and thumb, sources said, and the severity of the injury should be known Monday morning.”

The Lakers have hit the ground running at the resumption of their training for the season restart. Rondo’s injury, however, could be a massive blow in their line-up, especially to their backcourt, which is already missing the services of top defensive guard Avery Bradley.

Not only does Rondo’s absence hurt the Lakers’ guard personnel, but it would likewise affect the Lakers’ bid for a deep postseason run given that the veteran playmaker is known to shifting his gear come playoff time.

The 34-year-old just recently made the headlines for ripping the NBA after he appeared dissatisfied with the accommodation he received at the bubble.

Rondo is playing in his second season with the Lakers and is averaging 7.1 points, 5.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds – his worst production since his rookie season in 2007. For his career, he has registered 10.2 points, 8.3 dimes, and 4.7 rebounds while shooting at 45.8% from the field, 31.6% from deep, and 60.6% from the stripe.

Selected at 21st overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2006 NBA Draft, Rondo won his first and so far, his only NBA title in 2008 with the Boston Celtics. He ended his eight-year stint with the Celtics in 2014 and had started to find himself bouncing around the league playing for several other teams before landing in L.A. in 2018 to don the purple and gold.

With Rondo expected to be on the sidelines when the Lakers vie for the elusive NBA title, the fans’ clamor to have Alex Caruso play more significant minutes might just be granted.

Rajon Rondo Los Angeles Lakers
Rajon Rondo #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers takes an inbound during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center on November 7, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Harry How/Getty Images
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