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Rajon Rondo is in pain as he lands awkwardly and injuring his right ankle.BOSTON -- Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo suffered a sprained right ankle in Wednesday's 98-93 win over the Utah Jazz and is listed as day-to-day. He will be re-evaluated before Thursday's tilt with the Brooklyn Nets.

Rondo landed awkwardly after a baseline drive with 4:55 remaining in the third quarter. After missing a layup, he hopped all the way across the court to the front row of seats before limping back to the bench. He soon retreated to the locker room with trainer Ed Lacerte.

Rondo returned later in the quarter and was cleared for action, but coach Doc Rivers did not want to risk putting him back on the floor.

"I just felt like it’s too early to take that chance," said Rivers.

Pressed on the severity of the injury, Rivers added, "I have no idea. Look, with a sprained ankle -- tomorrow you’ll know more."

Rondo walked through the locker room after the game, but did not meet with reporters before the team's flight to Brooklyn.

Both Rivers and captain Paul Pierce said the Celtics have to withstand injuries to key players.

"It’s going to happen. He’s not going to play all 82 [games]," said Rivers. "You know how I think: The next guy -- somebody has to step up and figure it out. Tonight was a great example that we did that."

Added Pierce: "That happens throughout the course of the season, guys get hurt, other guys are going to step up. That's why we brought in the depth that we have this year, and it showed tonight."

Rivers said he could have inserted Jason Terry as backup point guard, but leaned heavy on Leandro Barbosa, who scored 16 points in 23 minutes.