Rondo returns for Celtics after missing eight games

BOSTON -- Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo returned to the lineup for Friday night's game against the New York Knicks after missing the previous eight games with a right wrist injury.

Rondo was given a loud ovation when his name was announced in pregame introductions. The Celtics went 6-2 in his absence.

Boston coach Doc Rivers said he had no plans with his guard's minutes, but liked what he saw during the morning shootaround.

"I'll go by how he's playing," Rivers said. "Your eyes will tell you. He looked good. It's different because he hasn't had a lot of basketball."

Rondo was injured when he took an awkward fall and landed with his wrist under his back on a flagrant foul by Toronto's Linas Kleiza on Jan. 18.

Rivers said the team worked on some late-game situations during the morning shootaround. The Celtics blew a fourth-quarter lead against Cleveland on Sunday, and they almost gave up another lead when faced the Cavaliers in Cleveland on Tuesday.

"We worked on some end of game stuff as a refresher," Rivers said.

Rondo wore a brace on his wrist while shooting and taking free throws on the floor about 90 minutes before the scheduled start.