Rajon Rondo suspended one game because of exchange with assistant

Rondo signed a two-year, $28 million free-agent contract with Chicago in the summer. (Getty Images)

Because of a vociferous sideline exchange with an assistant coach, the Chicago Bulls suspended guard Rajon Rondo for Monday night’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers, league sources told The Vertical.

The confrontation in Saturday night’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks, directed primarily at top assistant coach Jim Boylen, led to the organizational suspension for “conduct detrimental to the team.” Rondo apologized to the coaching staff and his teammates on Sunday, and as one source said, “took responsibility for it.”

Clashes with coaches have become an increasing hallmark of Rondo’s career. He was suspended in Sacramento last season for using a homophobic slur against referee Bill Kennedy.

The Bulls will start Jerian Grant on Monday against the Blazers.

Rondo, 30, signed a two-year, $28 million free-agent contract with Chicago in the summer. After nine years in Boston, Rondo has spent the previous two seasons with Dallas and Sacramento, respectively.