Rajon Rondo and the Los Angeles Lakers are preparing to face off against the defending NBA Champion Golden State Warriors for the the first time this 2018-19 season.
Although they're also scheduled to play three more times in the next several months, this first matchup on Christmas Day is considered the marquee matchup of the holiday as well as one of the most highly anticipated games of the entire year. Don't tell that to guys like Lakers guard Rajon Rondo, though.
Following the Lakers' last game, a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, the 13-year guard turned down any notion that this game was anything other than just another game that happens to be played on Christmas Day.
“It's not important at all,” replied Rondo when asked about the game's importance. “It's a game. Just one game.”
When asked if he sees the difference between this game and any other, his answer was in typical Rondo fashion.




“No.” he repeated softly. “No.”
#Lakers’ Rajon Rondo on how important the Christmas Day showdown vs. #Warriors is:
“It’s not important at all. It’s just one game.”
Reporter: “You don’t see any difference whatsoever with it being kind of a marquee matchup?”
Rondo: “No.” pic.twitter.com/YOSp97ehtg
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) December 24, 2018
In 13 appearances with the Lakers this season, Rondo is averaging 7.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game on 44 percent shooting. Rondo missed about a month of action with a fractured hand, but played in the last two games and doesn't appear to have any restrictions or limitations for Tuesday's game.
The Lakers and Warriors tip off their Christmas Day matchup at 8PM EST on ABC.