Los Angeles Lakers point guard Rajon Rondo has a fracture in his right thumb and will leave Orlando to undergo surgery this week.
Rondo is expected to need six to eight weeks to recover from his injury, so it's possible the former Boston Celtics star can return to the Lakers' lineup for the 2020 playoffs.
While speaking to reporters on Monday, head coach Frank Vogel said he expects Rondo to be part of the team's playoff run despite his thumb injury.
Lakers coach Frank Vogel on Rajon Rondo: "We expect Rajon to be a part of our playoff run. We’re looking at six to eight weeks puts us somewhere around the 1st to the 2nd round of the playoffs. We’re very confident he will be able to get back & be a major factor for us."
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) July 13, 2020
The Lakers have the best record in the Western Conference standings. Rondo was putting up 7.1 points and 5.0 assists for the Purple and Gold before games were suspended in March following Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert’s positive COVID-19 test.
Once the 2020 playoffs start after the conclusion of the seeding games, the Lakers will be one of the favorites to win the title with superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the charge. However, Los Angeles is hoping Rondo can suit up since “playoff Rondo” appears to be a real thing.
Rondo, who won the 2008 championship with the Celtics over Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, has career playoff averages of 14.0 points, 9.3 assists and 1.9 steals with the Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls and New Orleans Pelicans.
During the 2018 playoffs with New Orleans and AD, Rondo put up 10.3 points, 12.2 assists and 1.4 steals in nine games.