"The night began with an elbow to the right eye from Iman Shumpert, causing a swelling shiner he wore like a battle scar the rest of the game. Rajon Rondo was back last night against the Knicks, and although he was far from vintage form, he was good enough to contribute down the stretch in the 91-89 win.

Rondo, who missed the previous eight games with a sprained right wrist, convinced the team's medical staff he was ready to come back. He appeared sluggish at times, missing three of four free throws and favoring the wrist on occasion, but he managed to make a key play when he re-entered in the fourth quarter.

Pestering Shumpert near the sideline, he knocked the ball away and forced the Knicks rookie into a loose-ball foul. Rondo then fed Ray Allen for two critical baskets that gave the Celtics a 90-85 lead. He finished with 7 points, 7 assists, and 5 turnovers in 34 minutes."