While speaking with members of the media on Monday, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel discussed Rajon Rondo's availability ahead of the team's second-round playoff series.
Rondo has yet to make an appearance with the Lakers in the postseason due to injuries. First, the veteran point guard was still recovering from a broken thumb. Then when it seemed like he was ready to return, back spasms kept him out.
Though he has been out of commission, Rondo seems to be in good spirits. He's active on the sidelines, cheering his teammates on and helping any way he can. It's not clear if he'll be available at the start of the second round, but Vogel is hoping to have him at some point in the series, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
The Lakers managed to dispatch the Portland Trail Blazers in their first-round matchup, 4-1. Now that Los Angeles has advanced, they await the winner of the Rockets-Thunder series. Houston is currently leading that series, 3-2, with Game 6 scheduled for Monday night.
The Lakers have played well without Rondo's services, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to have him back in the fold. Rondo isn't the player he once was, but he can still bring it as a playmaker and scrappy defender when he's engaged. That would be helpful against either potential second-round opponent.
In his 48 appearances with the Lakers this season (three starts), Rondo racked up averages of 7.1 points on 41.8 percent shooting from the field (32.8 percent from beyond the arc), 5.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 20.5 minutes per outing.
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