WALTHAM, Mass. -- Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo said Thursday afternoon that his right wrist remains sore and he was scheduled to undergo an MRI later in the day, but was deemed doubtful for Friday's visit from the Phoenix Suns.
"It's still sore; I took like 10 Advil, so I’m OK," said Rondo. "I don’t know [about Friday's game]. Hopefully I get a good night’s rest. I’ll be in treatment pretty much all day today. Other than that. We’ll see tomorrow."
Rondo elected to push his MRI to later in the day so that he could attend the Boston's hourlong practice session at the Celtics Training Center and mentor young guards Avery Bradley and E'Twaun Moore. It's likely that Bradley, who ran with the first team Thursday, could draw the spot start, especially with reserve guard Keyon Dooling still out of action with a knee injury.
Asked how Rondo fared as a coach Thursday, Celtics coach Doc Rivers quipped, "He was terrible. I’d rather have him as a player."
Turning more serious, he said of Rondo's health: "He’s doing alright. I doubt he plays tomorrow, but we’ll see."
Said Rondo of his coaching role: "We’ve got two young point guards and -- not that they need help -- but as much as you can encourage them and things I can tell them and try to teach them, I just wanted to be there for them."
Both Bradley and Moore stayed after the session to get up extra shots and both said they'd be ready to go Thursday if called upon in the starting role. Either way, both can likely expect extended minutes.
"Like I always say, I’m ready to do whatever Doc and the team needs me to do," said Bradley. "If I need to start tomorrow, that’s what I’m going to do, I’m going to come out and play hard."
One encouraging sign for Rondo: He stayed after the open session to sign autographs for corporate sponsors that watched the open session. He was able to sign with his right hand despite the ailing wrist and he seemed in good spirits talking to the media.