DALLAS (AP) -- Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo is out of the starting lineup and not expected to play in his first visit to Dallas since an acrimonious split with the Mavericks during the first round of the playoffs last season.
Rondo, who had back spasms during a victory at Oklahoma City on Monday, was on the bench during game warmups Tuesday night and didn’t play in the first half.
The NBA’s assists leader faced the Mavericks for the first time this season in a 112-98 victory at Sacramento in November. He had 21 points and five assists.
Dallas coach Rick Carlisle cited a back injury while saying he didn’t think Rondo would play for the Mavericks again two games into a five-game playoff loss to Houston last April. Carlisle and Rondo clashed several times after the point guard arrived in a midseason trade with Boston.
