Rajon Rondo returned to the Dallas Mavericks’ lineup, Gorgui Dieng had a good showing in the Rising Stars Challenge, and both he and Russ Smith attended a University of Louisville basketball game.
Here’s a closer look at how Rondo and the two UofL products on NBA rosters did in the 16th week of the season, which was mostly taken up by the All-Star break.
Rondo (Dallas Mavericks): The Louisville native, former University of Kentucky standout point guard and ninth-year pro, who had been sidelined since suffering an orbital and nasal fracture Jan. 31 against Orlando, returned to the Mavericks’ lineup Thursday night at Oklahoma City.
Rondo had five points, six assists and two rebounds in the Dallas’ 104-89 loss to Thunder. He was 2 for 9 from the field and 1 of 2 from the free throw line while also recording two turnovers in 29 minutes.
For the season Rondo is averaging 8.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 8.6 assists per game for the Mavs (36-20), who are third in the Southwest Division and sixth overall in the Western Conference.
Dieng (Minnesota Timberwolves): The second-year center from UofL scored 14 points to help the World team to a 121-112 victory over the U.S. squad this past Friday night in the Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star weekend in New York.
Then the next day he and Smith attended UofL’s home loss to North Carolina State.
Dieng is averaging 9.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game on the season for Minnesota (11-42), which hosts Phoenix on Friday night.
Smith (Memphis Grizzlies): The rookie guard from UofL returned to the city for the Cardinals’ game against N.C. State on Saturday and to give some local children a surprise on Valentine’s Day.
So far this season Smith, who is averaging 16.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists in the D-League, is averaging 1.4 points per game in six games with the New Orleans Pelicans and one with Memphis (39-14), which is leading the Southwest Division and is second overall in the Western Conference.
Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Timberwolves Facebook Page
