Rajon Rondo spent nine years in Boston winning a championship with the team in 2008. It’s been five years since Rondo last suited up in a Celtic uniform but every time he returns to the TD Garden on the opposing end, it’s a redemption game.
On Thursday, Feb. 7, Rondo sunk a game-winning mid-range shot in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 129-128 win in Boston and the crowd didn’t know if they should root for their former player or not. Brandon Ingram forced a wild layup which was blocked by Al Horford; the ball then bounced into Rondo’s hands for the shot. It was the 13-year veteran’s first game-winning shot in his career and he finished with 17 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds in the victory.
“I couldn’t picture it being this sweet coming back 13-years in,” Rondo said. “We’ve been through a lot. We’re resilient, we’re hungry.”
Numerous NBA stars reacted to Rondo’s game-winner on social media including Rondo’s former teammates Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, current teammate LeBron James, Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade, Phoenix Suns guard Jamal Crawford and others.
Los Angeles bounced back with this win after a 42-point blowout loss to Indiana on Tuesday, Feb. 5. Los Angeles is now 2.5 games out of the 8th seed in the Western Conference with a 28-27 record.
