Rondo has been ruled out since last January with torn ACL.
Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo has targeted a return to action before the All-Star game which takes place on February 16.
The Celtics play their final game before the mid-season break on February 12 when the San Antonio Spurs visit the TD Garden, although Rondo is still remaining coy on the exact date of his return.
“It may be this month [or] next month. It’ll be before All-Star break,” he told reporters, according to ESPN.
“It’s just a feeling. I’ll probably just wake up that morning and play.”
Rondo suffered a torn ACL in late January 2013 and underwent surgery in February before undergoing a slow rehabilitation process over the past 12 months.
The star point guard has insisted that he will not rush back as he wants to be fully conditioned and have gained some match-fitness before he returns to the Celtics line-up.
However, he has also revealed that he has grown frustrated watching on from the sidelines while coach Brad Stevens claims that he looks good during situational game work during practice.
However, the rookie coach is also keen not to put pressure on Rondo by giving a definitive date for his return, and has left that decision to both the point guard himself and the medical staff.
Rondo had suggested he would join the D-League in order to gain some minutes and practice in a game-situation, and that remains a possibility when the Celtics return from their five-game road trip of the West.
The Celtics are now 13-23 for the season after losing six games in a row, and have now lost nine of their last 10 games.
Nevertheless, with Rondo returning they will still harbour realistic hopes of reaching the playoffs in a weak Eastern Conference that could allow Boston to finish as high as fourth place in the regular season.
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