Rajon Rondo was fined $35,000 for unsportsmanlike physical contact with Dennis Schroder and verbal abuse of a game official, the NBA officially announced on Nov. 23.
In a rare home-and-home situation between the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder, Rondo and Schroder received double technicals early in the second quarter.
While the double technicals served as a warning to both players in the first half, Rondo later kneed Schroder in the groin area early in the fourth quarter. After review, the 33-year-old was assessed a flagrant foul two and was ejected.
Rondo also did not leave the court in a timely manner.
Despite being shorthanded at the point guard position without Rondo and Avery Bradley, the Lakers still defeated the Thunder 130-127 to begin their four-game road trip.
As Rondo was only fined and not suspended any games, he addressed the situation prior to the team’s win against the Memphis Grizzlies, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN:
“You know, you’re a four-, five-time felon, the judgment is kind of harsher when you’ve had a history prior,” Rondo said before the Lakers played the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.
Outside of the Schroder incident, Rondo has had a solid Year 2 with the Lakers since returning from a calf injury.
In six games off the bench, Rondo is averaging 8.3 points (35.0 percent from the three-point line) and 5.7 assists in 21.2 minutes. More importantly, he serves as another playmaker when LeBron James is on or off the court.
Although Rondo is playing limited minutes, head coach Frank Vogel believes his statistics are measured in ‘swag.’
While there have been debates about the Lakers re-signing Rondo, he still fills a need at this stage of his career and his teammates do respect what he provides on the court.
