Los Angeles Lakers point guard Rajon Rondo is doubtful to play in Game 4 of the team's first-round series against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday.
Head coach Frank Vogel said Rondo has been dealing with back spasms he first began experiencing prior to Game 3.
Frank Vogel says that Rajon Rondo is listed as doubtful for Game 4 after experiencing back spasms prior to Game 3.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) August 23, 2020
Rondo has not played for the Lakers since March 10.
The veteran point guard headed to Orlando figuring to see more minutes in the backcourt because of Avery Bradley's decision to opt out of the restart. Unfortunately, he suffered a fractured right thumb on the second day of training camp.
Rondo was indeed listed as active prior to Game 3, but he was a late scratch due to the spasms and it seems he will be unavailable again on Monday.
The four-time All-Star has had a decent year as L.A.'s reserve point guard. He averaged 7.1 points, 5.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 48 regular season games while shooting 32.8 percent from beyond the arc on 2.6 attempts per game.
However, Rondo has been a bit of a defensive liability, posting a -0.1 defensive box plus-minus during the regular season, per Basketball Reference.
Still, he could add some playmaking off the bench, and he cannot be much worse than the rest of the Lakers backcourt.
The Lakers have really struggled to shoot the ball against the Trail Blazers. Kyle Kuzma is shooting an even 20 percent from beyond the arc, and both J.R. Smith and Alex Caruso have failed to provide shot-making in the second unit.
It remains to be seen how long the back issues will keep Rajon Rondo sidelined. However, the Purple and Gold are certainly hoping it won't be that long.
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