"Make no mistake about what Rajon Rondo means to this team.

"We're a playoff team without Rondo," Paul Pierce said after last night's 91-89 win over the New York Knicks. "But with Rondo we become a contender."

Though Rondo returned from an eight-game, wrist-related absence last night, the contending part will have to wait. A rusty, slightly discombobulated Rondo finished with seven points, seven assists, five turnovers and a minus-eight efficiency rating. Conversely, backup Avery Bradley was a smooth plus-nine.

But considering that the Celtics are now on a 7-1 streak, there is time for Rondo to rediscover his flow.

"He was rusty, obviously," said coach Doc Rivers. "I thought he played a little gingerly with his hand at times. We'll assess it tomorrow and see how he feels and keeps going. You don't miss that amount of games and not practice at all, and then walk into an NBA game and play well."

The one victim of Rondo's return was rookie E'Twaun Moore, who remained on the bench for the first time in 15 games."