Rajon Rondo injury update: Lakers guard has hand drained, return delayed

Rajon Rondo remains sidelined.

The 32-year-old guard’s return to the court has been delayed after he needed to have his right hand drained Sunday, Lakers coach Luke Walton told reporters. Rondo had been cleared to “ramp up” contact last week and was close to re-joining Los Angeles.

Walton said he believes Rondo will likely miss at least the team’s next two games, including a matchup with the Rockets in Houston on Thursday. Rondo and Houston guard Chris Paul were involved in an altercation earlier this season.

Luke Walton says Rajon Rondo had his right hand drained yesterday. He’s going to be shut down for a couple days. This obviously delays his return to game action. Walton said he does not anticipate Rondo playing in Houston for the rematch with Chris Paul.

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 10, 2018

Rondo has been out since breaking his hand in mid-November. He is averaging 8.5 points and 6.5 assists in 11 games this season.

The veteran signed a one-year, $9 million deal with the Lakers this summer.

The Lakers will host the Heat on Monday. They’ll carry a 16-10 record into that matchup.