Lakers Rumors: Rajon Rondo Hoping to Return from Injury in 1st Round of Playoffs

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo has reportedly returned to Orlando, Florida, to continue rehabbing his surgically repaired right thumb, according to Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes on NBA on TNT. 

He hasn't yet rejoined his team inside the NBA bubble. 

Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynes

My @NBAonTNT report on when Rajon Rondo (thumb fracture) could reenter the bubble for the Los Angeles Lakers. https://t.co/EPpk7pUN51

Rondo is working with Lakers senior adviser Kurt Rambis, per Haynes, with an eye on returning for the first round of the postseason. 

Rondo fractured his thumb during the Lakers' second team practice July 12. He underwent surgery July 16 and was projected to have a six-to-eight week recovery period, so it seems he's a bit ahead of schedule assuming he doesn't suffer any setbacks. 

The Lakers will need to be careful with the 34-year-old point guard, but the sooner he can get back, the better.

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Despite having clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, the Lakers (51-18) haven't look like a top contender. The team has dropped three straight games (2-4 in the restart), including Saturday's matchup against the Indiana Pacers, with the offense again looking out of sorts.

Getting Rondo back could help. The backup point guard is averaging 7.1 points, 5.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds per game while shooting 45.8 percent from the field this season, and Los Angeles is also missing Avery Bradley, who opted out of the restart.        

Rondo's postseason experience and playmaking ability could be valuable to a roster that has struggled of late.

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