Rajon Rondo injury update: Bulls PG out for minimum of two weeks

Chicago Bulls point guard Rajon Rondo expects to miss at least two more weeks of action after fracturing his thumb during Game 2 of the ongoing first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics. Rondo sat out of Friday's Game 3 as Boston routed Chicago 104-87 at the United Center to cut the series deficit to 2-1.

"It (the injury) couldn't have come at a worse time. But things happen for a reason. It is what it is. I'm not sure how long I'll be out. I plan on my body healing pretty quickly. The doctors told me a couple weeks, but we'll see how it goes," Rondo told reporters after Friday's defeat, via ESPN.

The eighth-seeded Bulls entered the first-round series as the underdogs but shocked the Celtics in Games 1 and 2 thanks largely to the all-round play of Rondo. Besides playing lockdown defence on Celtics star Isiah Thomas, Rondo registered a combined 20 assists, 17 rebounds, 7 steals and 23 points during the first two games. Several analysts felt that the combined playoff experience of Rondo and Dwyane Wade makes Chicago a legitimate threat to reach the conference finals. However, Rondo's injury could change the equation.

Rajon Rondo injury update: Point guard won't return for Boston series

On Friday, Rondo sparked controversy whilst seated on the Chicago Bulls bench when he stuck his leg out soon after Celtics forward Jae Crowder retreated after a 3-point shot. After the game, Rondo rubbished the notion that he was trying to trip Crowder. "When you tear an ACL, your legs get stiff on you every once in a while. I stretched my leg out; I also do that throughout the game. I guess he was so deep into our bench, it looked maybe whatever may have happened," said Rondo, who was part of Boston's 2008 championship team.

Rondo injured his thumb during the second half of Game 2 while fighting for a loose ball with Celtics centre Al Horford. "I think it was an inbound pass over to Horford. And I swiped up to make a play on the ball and I knew right then and there was something wrong with my thumb. I continued to play, obviously the adrenaline is crazy, but I continued to play and I didn't think anything of it. It was painful, but it's the playoffs," the floor general said, while explaining the extent of his injury.

Rajon Rondo signed a two-year, US$27 million (AU$35 million) contract with the Chicago Bulls last summer. However, only US$3 million (AU$3.9 million) of his 2017-18 salary will be guaranteed if the Bulls release the guard before June 30. Several reports suggest that Rondo and Wade are expected to stay in Chicago for another year. Stay tuned for the latest news and updates surrounding NBA Playoffs 2017.