Rondo also must sit out tomorrow night’s game at Oklahoma City. He can return to action Feb. 28 at Cleveland.
Rondo drove to the basket with just over three minutes left in the third quarter Sunday night and appeared to be slapped on the forearm by Brandon Knight. After Rondo released the layup, which missed, Greg Monroe landed on Rondo’s back attempting to block the shot.
After no call was made, Rondo grabbed the basketball after the Celtics committed a 24-second violation and glared at Wright. He then whipped the ball at the official, who was standing about 8 feet away, as Wright held his hands up making the violation call.
Rondo then argued with Wright, earning a second technical and his first career ejection. NBA players cannot appeal game suspensions.
“They caught us early and told us don’t prepare for him playing [last night],’’ Rivers said. “I kind of felt like that means multiple games, otherwise they would have said he was suspended for one game, so they were deliberating at the time. That led me to believe that’s what would happen.’’
It’s been a difficult stretch for Rondo, who had a poor game Feb. 10 at Toronto and then recorded a triple-double two days later against the Bulls at TD Garden. He then did not speak with the media for several days before playing well in a rematch at Chicago last Thursday, although the Celtics lost. Boston was dominated by the Pistons Sunday night; Detroit attempted 46 free throws to Boston’s 15.
“Listen, you are always disappointed when that happens,’’ Rivers said. “You never put yourself in front of the team, but the game is an emotional game. I think we can all agree that it was a pretty clear foul and a bad foul that wasn’t called and at the time we were getting our butts kicked and frustration was high and it’s a human game, and emotional things happen.
“Five seconds after it happened, I guarantee you Rondo wished he could take it back. He’s young and I hope we don’t forget that.’’
