Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo has been cleared for full-contact practices and should return to action sometime in January, coach Brad Stevens says.
Rondo tore ligaments in his right knee last January. Two weeks late he was done for the season. Dr. James Andrews repaired the joint and estimated recovery time at 10 months.
Rondo has been in non-contact drills awaiting approval to step up his activity to five-on-five and scrimmages.
Andrews cleared Rondo on Friday.
"He won't play in games, is what I've been told, until after the first of the year," Stevens told The Boston Herald. "We're talking in big generalities there. I don't know when that means. It could mean a month from now, it could mean six weeks from now. "
Rondo is considered the Celtics' best player, and his return will give boost to a team that has done surprisingly well in his absence. Despite an 11-14 record, the Celtics are first in what has been an underwhelming Atlantic Division.
The Celtics next play on Monday, at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves.