Before Injuring His Knee, Rajon Rondo Was Quietly Having One Of The Best Seasons In NBA History

Mike Ehrmann/Getty ImagesThe Celtics learned on Sunday that Rajon Rondo had torn his ACL and would need season-ending knee surgery. The injury is a huge blow to the Celtics' playoff hopes as Rondo was quietly having one of the best all-around seasons in NBA history.

Through the first 43 games of the season, Rondo was averaging 13.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 11.1 assists per game, a set of numbers that puts Rondo in very exclusive company.

Prior to this season, only three players in NBA history had averaged at least 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 11 assists per game. Magic Johnson exceeded these numbers eight times, Oscar Robertson did it three times, and Chris Paul accomplished it once in 2009.

For a team desperately clinging to the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, that loss is probably going to be too much to overcome.