DALLAS -- Rajon Rondo won't return before the All-Star break as the Dallas point guard recovers from breaking the orbital bone of his left eye.
The Mavericks said Friday that Rondo would miss the remaining three games before the break, starting Saturday night against Portland. He will also miss games against the Los Angeles Clippers and Utah.
Sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that while surgery for Rondo has not been ruled out completely, team officials are hopeful that prolonged rest will enable him to avoid an operation.
Rondo also broke his nose when he was inadvertently kneed by teammate Richard Jefferson while getting up after tripping over the leg of Orlando's Elfrid Payton early in a game Jan. 31.
In 21 games since being traded to Dallas from Boston, Rondo has averaged 9.2 points and 6.5 assists per game.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.