Rajon Rondo likely to return to Celtics lineup Friday

It is officially a game-time decision, but it looks like the Boston Celtics will get Rajon Rondo back in the lineup for their game against the Knicks Friday night.

Here is the report from A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com.

Rondo, who has missed the last eight games with a right wrist injury, was an active participant in the team’s morning shootaround. Earlier this week, coach Doc Rivers said tonight’s game was a likely target date for the two-time all-star to return to action.

Rondo missed the last six games but the Celtics went 6-2 in that stretch, with Paul Pierce stepping up and taking on more of a playmaking role. They also were fortunate to have a soft spot in the schedule where only three of those games were against teams over .500 and two of those were against the collapsing Orlando Magic.

Rondo had averaged 15 points ad 9.4 assists per game. He rejoins an 11-10 Celtics team that is currently the seven seed in the East — and needs to win games such as against the Knicks (8-14, 10 seed) to maintain that standing.