Broken right thumb sidelines Rondo
Bulls guard Rajon Rondo is out indefinitely with a broken right thumb.
The team announced the injury Friday, hours before the Bulls hosted the Celtics in Game 3 of their firstround Eastern Conference playoff series. The Bulls won the first two games in Boston and are trying to become just the sixth No. 8 seed to knock off aNo. 1.
“Rondo obviously has been unbelievable in the two winswe had in Boston,” coach Fred Hoiberg said. “So to get the news we got was very difficult.”
Hoiberg said Rondo was injured swiping for the ball in the third quarter ofGame 2. He either hit the ball or Celtics center Kelly Olynyk’s elbow but stayed in the game. Rondo was a limited participant in practice Thursday.
X-rays confirmed the fracture, but surgery is not required. Hoiberg said Rondo — also playing through a right wrist injury — will likely be re-evaluated in aweek to 10 days.
Durant still questionable:
Kevin Durant participated in a light practice, but the Warriors forward was still listed as questionable for Game 3 of their first-round Western Conference series Saturday at Portland because of a strained left calf.
He appeared to be moving well while doing shooting work after the workout, though coach Steve Kerr doesn’t plan to play Durant until he is deemed without risk of making the injury worse.
Durantwas injured in the third quarter of Game 1 but said Friday he’s unsure how he did so.
Nurkic upgraded:
The Trail Blazers upgraded center JusufNurkic to doubtful for Game 3 against the Warriors.
Nurkic missed the final seven games of the regular season and the first two playoff games because of a nondisplaced fracture in his right leg, but he has been shooting around in team warmups.
Fines handed out:
Thunder guard Russell Westbrook andWizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. were both fined by theNBA.
Westbrook was fined $15,000 for using inappropriate language during a postgame media interview after Wednesday’s loss to the Rockets, while Oubre was assessed a $25,000 fine for kicking the ball into the stands at the end of Wednesday’s win over the Hawks.