Brad Stevens confirms Rajon Rondo near return

Brad Stevens has confirmed that Rajon Rondo is getting close to making his return with the Boston Celtics.

The point guard, who tore his ACL last January, hinted that he could play on Friday in a tweet earlier this week.

The head coach told reporters: "We've got a day planned, some pretty strenuous activity planned [today] for him, and then kinda go from there. But I don't think it's fair to put a day on it until he goes through everything he needs to go through. But, obviously, hey, we're nearing that time. No question.

"Looking for his thumb to go up. That's his call, along with our trainers and our doctors and everybody else. There is no basketball boxes that need to be checked with him."

The Celtics host the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.