Rajon Rondo still a 'long shot' for Game 6

Rajon Rondo still a ‘long shot’ for Game 6

Rajon Rondo’s status for Game 6 against the Celtics on Friday night hasn’t changed.

Rondo continues to recover from a fractured right thumb and a torn ligament in his right wrist, and his status for the rest of the first-round series remains in doubt.

“Nothing has changed as of right now,’’ coach Fred Hoiberg said in a teleconference. “Like we talked about [Wednesday], it’s still a long shot that he’s back on the court, at least for this series.’’

Rondo was scheduled to get a workout in late Thursday and would then be evaluated at the shootaround on Friday, but even teammates like Jimmy Butler don’t feel optimistic.

“Eventually we’re going to have to deal with the fact that he’s not out there,’’ Butler said.

“Eventually we’re going to have to win without him, because of the looks of it, he’s not going to be back. I don’t know, I hope he is, but you’ve got to be able to embrace the fact that he’s not.’’

It’s won’t be an easy task, considering the Bulls haven’t won a game in this series without Rondo and are on the brink of elimination.

After Rondo suffered the injury late in a Game 2 win, the Bulls have dropped three straight to the top-seeded Celtics and are seeing just how important Rondo really is on both sides of the floor.

Staying clean

Robin Lopez picked up a technical foul in Game 5 after arguing with referee Ed Malloy after Celtics forward Jae Crowder put him in a leg lock.

The big man was his usual sarcastic self when discussing the incident.

“I was being very supportive of Mr. [Ed] Malloy, and I think it got misconstrued, unfortunately,’’ Lopez said. “I was applauding him.’’

What Lopez won’t do is back off his aggressiveness both before the whistle and after it.

“I try to be as physical as possible,’’ Lopez said. “I try to be aggressive, and so far in this series it hasn’t done me harm. I haven’t picked up too many fouls.’’

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Email: jcowley@suntimes.com