Injured Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo has been told that he can play full-contact basketball again.

The 27-year-old, who has been out since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament at the end of January, should return for the Celtics next month, coach Brad Stevens said.

"As far as getting good news, and it looks like he's on schedule to be closer, but still probably doesn't look like we're going to see him on the court any time this month," ESPN quotes Stevens as saying. "Hopefully as we get into January, he'll be closer."

The Celtics currently sit atop the ailing Atlantic Division even though their record is below .500 at 11-14.