ATLANTA — Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo was suspended for Game 2 of the opening-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks.
The NBA announced its decision Monday, less than 24 hours after Rondo stuck out his chest to bump referee Marc Davis while complaining about a call in the final minute of Boston’s 83-74 loss in Game 1.
Rondo won’t be able to play Tuesday night in Atlanta when the Celtics try to even the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. The NBA’s assist leader scored 20 points and dished out 11 assists in the opener, leaving Boston with a huge hole in its lineup.
The Celtics already have been playing without shooting guard Ray Allen, who’s hobbling on a sore right ankle. Avery Bradley likelhy wil move over to take Rondo’s place at the point.
Clippers tie record with rally
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Los Angeles Clippers rallied from 27 down to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 99-98 Sunday night in the opening game of the Western Conference quarterfinal series.
The Clippers tied the NBA playoff record for largest deficit overcome at the end of three quarters, when they trailed by 21.
The Clippers lost Caron Butler for the rest of the playoffs to a broken left hand. But Nick Young scored 19 points off the bench, including three 3-pointers in the midst of a 26-1 run.
Bulls insist they still can win
DEERFIELD, Ill. — One bad landing finished Derrick Rose’s season. The Chicago Bulls insist it hasn’t dashed their NBA title hopes.
With their superstar point guard out for the rest of the season because of a left knee injury, the Bulls will try to take a 2-0 lead over the Philadelphia 76ers when their first-round series resumes Tuesday night.
Rose was injured with just over a minute left in Game 1 and he is now recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Coach Tom Thibodeau says he’s seen his team “respond to every challenge all year long.” And this is a big one — a playoff run without one of the league’s best players.
Lakers’ Hill charged with assult
HOUSTON — Los Angeles Lakers forward Jordan Hill faces a felony assault charge after an incident with his girlfriend in Houston.
Hill is charged with allegedly shoving and choking Darlene Luna, 28, about 1 p.m. on Feb. 29 at his Houston apartment.
Hill played for Houston from February 2010 to March 2012, when he was traded to Los Angeles for point guard Derek Fisher.
Lin to be evaluated this week
MIAMI — Jeremy Lin took part in another practice with the New York Knicks on Monday, and the team says it hopes to know more later this week about when the guard might be able to return to the lineup.
Lin participated in the team’s gameday shootaround before its playoff matchup with the Heat, the fourth straight day that Lin did some on-court work in Miami.
The guard who was the biggest story in the NBA after putting up big numbers in February had surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee four weeks ago.
Bobcats won’t keep Silas
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Paul Silas is out as Charlotte Bobcats coach Paul Silas after the worst season in NBA history.
Silas, 68, just completed the final year of his contract and the decision was made not to bring him back after Charlotte finished 7-59 for the worst winning percentage in league history (.106).
Nets unveil Brooklyn logo
NEW YORK — The Nets have changed their colors to black and white as part of their relocation to Brooklyn.
The NBA team took another step in its transition from New Jersey to New York by unveiling its logo. Nets center Brook Lopez and coach Avery Johnson attended the unveiling near Barclays Center, the team’s soon-to-be-completed home arena.
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