Boston Celtics star Rajon Rondo may have tweeted his return date in a riddle on Monday. If the riddle is to be believed, Rondo will return on Friday when Boston hosts the Los Angeles Lakers.

Rondo, who's been sidelined since undergoing ACL surgery in February, set off a firestorm of speculation late Monday night with a cryptic tweet.

Baxter Holmes of the Boston Globe did the math and posited Rondo intends to make his season debut on Friday against the Lakers.

Lakers star Kobe Bryant posted a similar cryptic tweet in November when reports began indicating his return was near. The tweet was believed to mean Bryant would return on Nov. 15 against the Memphis Grizzlies, but it never happened.

Rondo was medically cleared in December to participate fully at practice. He's been scrimmaging teammates and acknowledged he expects to return sometime in mid-to-late January, but he declined to give a more specific timetable.

Playing in the D-League was also discussed as an option to help Rondo get in game-shape after missing almost a year of playing. While the idea appears dead, Rondo admitted he wouldn't be against a stint with Boston's D-League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws.

"I'll probably be the first (NBA player) to (use it as rehab) but it doesn't make a difference," Rondo told The Globe on Jan. 2. "I want to make sure I'm healthy and I handle it the right way. I don't want my first time to come back out game-like to be the first time with the Celtics. I haven't had a preseason. I haven't had a training camp."

Asked whether there is an indicator he's ready to return, Rondo said: "(Play) like a 12-minute quarter, straight. I don't want to go out there and get fatigued and cause another injury. I want to make sure I'm ready to go and I'm in shape."

h/t Celtics Life

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