WASHINGTON (AP) - Rajon Rondo sat out the second half of a back-to-back Wednesday night for the Boston Celtics, who also expect to be without Avery Bradley for two weeks due to a sprained right ankle.
Coach Brad Stevens said he was sticking to the plan to rest Rondo against the Washington Wizards after the point guard played 26 minutes the night before in a loss to the Miami Heat.
“This is Rondo’s preseason right now,” Stevens said. “Not fair to him that it happens in the middle of January.”
Rondo tore the ACL in his right knee nearly a year ago. He has played in three games since returning Friday.
He showed plenty of rust against the Heat, going 0 for 8 from the field. Stevens said Rondo was tired Wednesday but that there were no structural problems with the knee.
Stevens said Bradley is “probably out a couple of weeks” after getting hurt in the second quarter against the Heat, leaving the Celtics with neither of their projected starting guards against the Wizards. Also, recently acquired guard Jerryd Bayless missed his second consecutive game with a sprained left big toe and is day to day.
Stevens’ starting lineup consisted of a backup point guard - Phil Pressey - and four forwards.
“Changing of the guard,” Stevens said. “We’ve got a lot of new faces in the locker room anyways, so we’ve got obviously a unique setup here.”
To fill out the bench, the Celtics signed former Marquette guard Vander Blue to a 10-day contract Wednesday. They also have Chris Johnson, who played 25 minutes on Tuesday, on a 10-day contract.
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