04/19/24
May 08, 2011
'Thank God It Just Popped Back In': Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo gruesomely dislocated his elbow with 7 minutes left in the third quarter Saturday night against the Miami Heat and was taken to the locker room. He returned and one-armed the entire fourth quarter of the crucial 97-81 win, bringing the series to 2-1 Heat.
posted by dfleming to basketball at 01:44 PM - 9 comments
That's epic. Reminds me of the Michael Jordan flu game and the time Dirk Nowitzki lost a tooth in the 2000 playoffs against the Spurs. He sprinted to the locker room and was back within minutes.
posted by rcade at 01:46 PM on May 08, 2011
First, I'm kind of surprised Rondo didn't get a technical, since it was Wade who tackled him.
Second, man I wish I'd watched this live; I imagine that when he came out, when he went on the floor, and that steal and dunk... holy cow, the crowd must have been going nuts in Boston! This is as the article says his "flu" game, and I think the Celtics are going to be playing some very inspired ball (well, hopefully Rondo isn't out for the series/season after this injury sits for a day or two). This kind of thing- not just the win, but the dominating win, with the resurgent point guard- can lift a team up really high.
posted by hincandenza at 02:40 PM on May 08, 2011
It was pretty amazing. Gutsy. But he got lucky too - my MD friend and I were watching it and he called the injury immediately. He then said that if it pops right back in he could possibly come back. If there was a problem, well, that's a whole other story, apparently.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 06:38 PM on May 08, 2011
I was watching this game and was suprised just as anyone that Rondo came back to play and played well after the dislocation. He left arm was just dangling there but he still had one good arm and his legs worked just fine.
posted by BornIcon at 07:35 AM on May 09, 2011
He then said that if it pops right back in he could possibly come back
In the Boston paper they said the key was to re-locate it before the muscle begins to spasm. Still, gross.
posted by yerfatma at 09:27 AM on May 09, 2011
Highlight vid here. Dunk at 0:29.
Gives a whole new meaning to "tape it and play on it".
posted by lil_brown_bat at 09:51 AM on May 09, 2011
Gives a whole new meaning to "tape it and play on it".
Or 'rub some dirt on it'.
posted by BornIcon at 12:37 PM on May 09, 2011
During their local post game show, Celtics' broadcasters were shaking their heads wondering why Miami never tried to force Rondo to go left after he returned. It was evident within a few seconds the he was playing with one arm, and he would be unable to go left.
One doctor, not connected with the team, says that the probability of re-injury to the elbow is about 5%, and that only if a similar bending of the elbow occurs. This same doctor also says that the elbow will be sore, but completely usable except when full extension is required. Look for Rondo to be up to his usual tricks tonight.
posted by Howard_T at 02:01 PM on May 09, 2011
I was dumbfounded when Rondo came back to play last night, and found myself alone at home screaming at the monitor when he dunked in the 4th quarter. I wonder, once the adrenaline wears off, if he's going to be able to play effectively the rest of the way.