The Boston Celtics point guard, who's rehabbing a surgically repaired right knee, doesn't know exactly when he'll be back. But he does expect to return soon, Baxter Holmes of the Boston Globe reports.

"[email protected] on when he'll return: 'It may be this month, next month. It’ll be before All-Star Break.'" — Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes)

"Rondo said he's had no setbacks at any point: 'I'm just taking my time…It's just a feeling. I'll probably just wake up that morning & play.'" — Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) 

The inability to play is obviously frustrating for Rondo, the franchise player and most important piece of a Boston team that's fourth place in a bad Atlantic Division.

"Just not playing," Rondo told the Globe. "I don’t even like to watch the game anymore. It’s frustrating.

"You see things that you just can’t help."

Rondo still could serve a stint with the Maine Red Claws, the Celtics' D-League affiliate, before a return to the NBA. But he said he's unsure if that's the route he'll take.

"I don’t know," he said. "I might go practice with them when I get back. Still just not sure yet."

The Celtics need Rondo, who's known for his superb offensive facilitation more so than his scoring ability, to help spark production. Boston is the third-worst passing team in the league (19.3 assists per game) this season.

Rondo averages 8.3 assists per game for his career.


BLEDSOE'S SURGERY


Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe, one of the NBA's rising stars, had successful surgery to repair cartilage in his right knee Friday.

No timetable was given for Bledsoe's return but the team said in a news release that he "will pursue a possible return to action during the second half" of the season.

The belief is that Bledsoe suffered some damage to the meniscus in his right knee in a Dec. 30 game against his former team, the Los Angeles Clippers.

Bledsoe has sat out of the Suns' last four games for a sprained knee, the team announced this week.

Originally drafted at No.18 in 2010 by the OKC Thunder and traded to the Clippers, Bledsoe has emerged as a Most Improved Player candidate since being shipped to the Suns. This season Bledsoe has averaged 18.0 points, 5.8 assists and 4.3 rebounds in a surprising 21-13 start in Phoenix.

Bledsoe is the latest in a line of athletic NBA guards to suffer a knee injuries. Previously, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook and others have gone down with meniscus injuries.


HOLIDAY OUT INDEFINITELY 


The New Orleans Pelicans say starting point guard Jrue Holiday is sidelined indefinitely with a lower right leg injury.

The team says the injury is a stress fracture in his tibia. It is not clear when or how the injury occurred. Holiday played 29 minutes in Wednesday night's 102-96 loss at home to Washington, making three of 11 shots for eight points to go with three assists, three rebounds and three steals.

In 34 games this season, the 6-4 Holiday is averaging 14.3 points, 7.9 assists and 4.2 rebounds. His injury comes while New Orleans struggles to overcome the absence of leading scorer Ryan Anderson, who has been out indefinitely with a herniated disk since last weekend.

Contributors: Tadd Haislop, DeAntae Prince, The Associated Press