After missing 17 games due to hand surgery, Rajon Rondo recently returned against the New Orleans Pelicans following the team’s four-game road trip.
As the Los Angeles Lakers had to rely on several bench players to help fill the void, including Svi Mykhailiuk who played well under the circumstances, Rondo’s return could not have come at a better time.
Following two relatively quiet games, Rondo led the Lakers to a Christmas Day win over the Golden State Warriors with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists in just 23 minutes. He was particularly effective after LeBron James left the game due to a strained groin.