Rajon Rondo: 'I didn't try to start a riot'

WALTHAM -- Rajon Rondo spoke for the first time since being ejected from Wednesday night's game for fighting. Rondo said he spoke with the NBA office about an hour before Thursday's practice and made his case for his involvement in the altercation with Brooklyn forward Kris Humphries, after Humphries fouled Kevin Garnett in mid-air on a baseline drive to the basket with 29.5 seconds left in the second quarter. 

"I talked to the NBA," Rondo said. "They recorded the conversation. I just explained what went on, what happened [late] in the second quarter. I told them the truth. I don't know what's going to happen. They haven't made any decisions yet. I'm just waiting to hear back from the league. I went through practice hoping I'll play [Friday] but you never know."

Rondo said he has no hunch on whether he will be suspended or how long any disciplinary action might be.

"You never know, you just never know," Rondo said. "It's out of my control. Whatever the consequences are, that's what they are. I don't think I did anything dirty. I didn't try to start a riot. I don't think it was more than a pushing war. That's about it.

"I thought the play on Kevin was a malicious play. I got hurt last year on a similar play like that, a guy going up in the air defenseless, on his way down. I just pushed Humphries and after that it was a pushing war."

The Celtics host the Trail Blazers on Friday night at TD Garden. The Trail Blazers lost to the Wizards on Wednesday night, providing Washington its first win of the season. 

For more, including video from Rajon Rondo Thursday at practice, visit the Celtics team page at weei.com/celtics [1] and the Green Street [2] blog.