Isaiah Thomas and Rajon Rondo both ejected after on-court scuffle - 'uncalled for'
There’s always been the prevailing thought in Boston that once you play for the Celtics, you’re always a Celtic.
Apparently Rajon Rondo and Isaiah Thomas didn’t get the message.
Their on-court scuffle Wednesday night led to both players being ejected in the Pelicans’ 139-117 win over the Lakers.
Things got physical right away, with Rondo elbowing Thomas when he checked into the game.
https://twitter.com/MyNBAUpdate/status/963952432148504576
Later in the quarter, the heat was turned up, with New Orleans already up by 17 points.
Last month Rondo had some things to say about IT wanting a tribute video from the Celtics..
Today they got into it and were ejected 👀 pic.twitter.com/nCw0KpEkXo
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 15, 2018
This all started last month, when the Celtics were planning a video tribute for Thomas, whom they traded to Cleveland in the offseason.
But the point guard had just returned from a hip injury and wasn’t going to play, so he asked for the video to be played during his next trip to Boston, which was scheduled for this past Sunday.
Unfortunately for him, that also marked the retirement of Paul Pierce’s number, so the tribute was canceled.
Rondo — who helped lead the Celtics to the 2008 NBA championship — came out and said Thomas didn’t even deserve a tribute since he was only in Boston for just over two seasons and never won a title there.
According to multiple reports, Rondo began attacking his counterpart verbally Wednesday night, which led to the altercation.
.@isaiahthomas talks to @LAIreland about his altercation with Rajon Rondo and being ejected early in today's game. pic.twitter.com/hjqwczNruh
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) February 15, 2018
Thomas seemed bewildered, saying, “I don’t know what was going on with him. I don’t know why I got thrown out. It was obvious what was going on; he was being too aggressive for some reason, then he hit me in my face three times. …
“Whatever reason, he’s an upset guy about me. I don’t know what it is, but it’s fine. He kept bringing the tribute up, when I was the one that shut the tribute down. I’m far past that. … For me to be ejected was uncalled for.”
Rondo’s problems with Thomas came to light last month during New Orleans’ trip to Boston.
Rajon Rondo was irked to hear that the Celtics would honor Isaiah Thomas on any night. "What has he done?” Rondo asked. Told that he led the Celtics to the conference finals last year, Rondo remarked, “Oh, that’s what we celebrate around here?”
— Bill Doyle (@BillDoyle15) January 17, 2018
Rondo has always been an emotional player (just ask Ray Allen), but with his Pelicans holding just a half-game lead for the last playoff spot, this outburst could have long-term ramifications should he get suspended.
Thomas, Rondo clash over Celts' tribute, tossed https://t.co/iznJVb5O7e Rondo clearly at fault and I guess the Celtics are still more important than the Pelicans making the playoffs. SMH @siriusxmnba
— Eddie A Johnson (@Jumpshot8) February 15, 2018
The Lakers and Pelicans play again on March 22, so mark that down in the calendar — unless you’d rather wait for the Celtics alumni game.
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