Due to a fractured thumb, Rajon Rondo is not playing during Game 3 of the Bulls' first-round series against the Celtics, and will be out indefinitely. But early on Friday night, the point guard, who was rocking a rare short-sleeve suit, almost got involved in the game -- from the bench.
Rajon Rondo going with the very rare short sleeve suit look pic.twitter.com/eIjRoeficA
— CBS Sports NBA (@CBSSportsNBA) April 21, 2017
After Jae Crowder hit a baseline jumper during the first quarter, the Celtics forward's momentum carried him toward the Bulls bench. As he turned to make his way back down the floor, Rondo, sitting in the middle of the Bulls' bench, sticks his leg up.
Did Rondo try to trip Jae Crowder from the bench? pic.twitter.com/njCRgTFOLo
— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 21, 2017
Rondo didn't make contact, and nothing was made of it at the time, but still, this is pretty strange. Was Rondo trying to trip Crowder? It certainly appears that is the case.
If not, why would he stick his leg out at the precise moment Crowder passes by him?
You don't want to accuse someone of trying to injure an opponent, but this is certainly a pretty weird moment. Hopefully it was simply Rondo absentmindedly stretching his leg, and not something malicious.