Rajon Rondo‘s breakup with the Dallas Mavericks last season wasn’t exactly what you might call amicable. He and Rick Carlisle butted heads constantly, and after Dallas fell into an 0-2 hole against the Rockets in the opening round of the playoffs, Rondo was ruled out of the remainder of the postseason with some sort of amorphous back injury.
Not long after that, however, ESPN.com’s Tim MacMahon reported that the Mavs had allegedly fabricated that injury in an effort to help Rondo save face after the organization had decided to summarily shun him. Now, in a suspiciously-timed bit of serendipity, the Kings have announced that Rondo is doubtful tonight against Dallas in what would be his initial return to American Airlines arena after signing with Sacramento in free agency.
Rajon Rondo is doubtful tonight against Dallas – lower back spasm.
— James Ham (@James_HamNBA) January 5, 2016
Jokes about his spine or (lack thereof) being the lowest of the proverbial low-hanging fruit at this point, we’re willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, despite the fact that most players in his situation would be licking their chops at the chance to go out and have a monster game against their former team given their history.
Rondo has enjoyed a renaissance of sorts this season with the Kings, although that hasn’t translated into the type of success the team was anticipating. Still, they’ll miss his all-around play-making Tuesday night when they tipoff against the Mavericks at 8:30 p.m. EST on NBA League Pass.