Rajon Rondo cleared to practice, expected to return in January

Boston's franchise point guard is back on the practice court nearly 12 months after tearing his ACL in January.

By Matthew Tynan Dec 14, 2013, 4:37pm EST

The Boston Celtics have performed much better than most expected over the first quarter of the season, and now the news surrounding the team is getting better. Point guard Rajon Rondo has been fully cleared to participate in practice, though there is no immediate timetable for his return to game action, according to the Boston Globe's Baxter Holmes:

Celtics coach Brad Stevens said after practice Saturday the team still doesn't expect Rondo to be back on the court this month.

"He won't play in games, is what I've been told, until after the first of the year," Stevens said. "And that still is, we're talking in big generalities there. I don't know when that means. It could mean a month from now, it could mean six weeks from now. There's a lot of different variables that have to be met for him to be cleared for games."

More: CelticsBlog

At this point, there is no rush to bring Rondo back in the fold, despite the fact Boston is currently fourth in the East and in a race for the Atlantic Division crown. This team is preparing itself for the future, and if Rondo is part of that — whether it be as a franchise point guard or valuable trade piece — it would behoove the Celtics to make sure he's 100 percent ready before they bring him back.

Boston is currently 11-14 on the young season, and Jordan Crawford has emerged as one of the unexpected stars of the team at the point guard position.