Rondo, Celtics fall

Rajon Rondo sustained a "mild" sprain of his right ankle early in the second half of the Celtics' TD BankNorth Garden preseason opener, a 104-97 loss to the New York Knicks, Friday night.

Rondo was replaced by Eddie House after Ray Allen's foul shot gave the Celtics a 62-61 lead 2:26 into the third quarter. Rondo was accompanied to the lockerroom by trainer Eddie Lacerte but Rondo is expected to be available when the Celtics play host to the New Jersey Nets at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

Immediately after Rondo departed, the Knicks went on a 20-8 run, taking an 81-70 lead on Nate Robinson's foul shot with 41 seconds remaining in the quarter. The Celtics produced only two field goals in a 9:02 period of the quarter.

House scored 27 points for the Celtics, 4-2 in the preseason.