BOSTONThe Boston Celtics have their floor leader back with Rajon Rondo returning to action after a one-game absence.
The NBA's reigning assists leader did not play in Thursday's loss at Brooklyn after suffering a sprained right ankle injury in the third quarter of Boston's win over Utah on Wednesday.
"He looks fine," Rivers said of Rondo. "He's good."
The decision on whether he would play today is not one Rivers said he ever makes.
"Him and Ed (Lacerte, the C's trainer) walked in this morning and said, 'we're ready,'" Rivers said. "So, he's ready."
Still, Rivers will keep an eye on Rondo to see if he's limping or showing any signs of favoring that ankle.
"The eyes always tell you," Rivers said. "It's not brain surgery in that regard. Especially with a guard. You can limp around as a big and still be effective, because you're still a big. But guards are pretty easy."
Boston's usual pre-game shoot-around was more of a walk-through because of the early tip-off, so Rivers couldn't glean anything more about how effective Rondo will be heading into today's game.
"I don't think Eddie would tell him to go out there if he wasn't ready," Rivers said.