The Los Angeles Lakers welcomed back Rajon Rondo to practice on Monday afternoon, which head coach Frank Vogel said added a little bit of extra “juice” to their preparation for tonight’s Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers. Reporters who were in Lakers practice captured Rondo running around and working on drills with Lakers teammates. Vogel told reporters that Rondo, while he has been cleared to play medically, is unlikely to play in tonight’s Game 1.
Vogel said it’s unlikely Rondo would play in Game 1 vs. Portland as he gets re-integrated.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) August 17, 2020
As of the 2 p.m. injury report from the NBA, Rondo is still listed as “doubtful” to play in tonight’s game. Of course, Rondo could shock everyone and decide to play because he hasn’t fully been ruled out and the “doubtful” designation indicates a 25% chance that he will actually play.
The Lakers and Blazers are going through their shootarounds today while the other playoff games are being played, but Rondo’s status likely won’t be official one way or the other until about 90 minutes before the game when Frank Vogel speaks to reporters.
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