Rajon Rondo made his LA Clippers debut in Sunday's 104-86 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Clippers acquired Rondo from Atlanta in a trade involving Lou Williams at the trade deadline on March 25.
He had a Rondo-esque game against his former team, scoring 2 points to go along with 3 assists, 2 steals and 4 turnovers in 13 minutes.
Both L.A. teams are without key players. The Lakers are without LeBron James and Anthony Davis due to injuries and the Clippers didn't have guard Patrick Beverley. Beverley has missed the past 11 games due to a knee injury. Starting center Serge Ibaka also has been out for the past 10 games with a back injury.
"It's different," Rondo said of playing for the Clippers in the rivalry recently in an interview with ESPN's Rachel Nichols. "It is a rivalry here in Los Angeles. But for the most part, I have been getting a bunch of 'welcome back's. It is different coming back to LA being a champion."
Hampered by an adductor injury, Rondo has been consistently working to learn the Clippers' playbook while he rested.
"Just trying to fit in and getting the timing,`` Lue said of Rondo. "You could just tell his pace brings a different something to our team. We need that.''
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
