Brad Stevens, head coach of the Boston Celtics, has revealed that Rajon Rondo is unlikely to be fit for the start of the new season.

Rondo has been recovering from knee surgery after tearing his ACL in a game against the Miami Heat in January and Stevens claims that the injury will prevent him from facing the Toronto Raptors on October 30.

"It's very indeterminate now. I think it's unlikely that he'll be ready for the start of the season," Stevens told reporters.

Celtics president Danny Ainge echoed the statement from Stevens when he addressed the media.

When asked if he thought Rondo would be ready for the Toronto game, Ainge replied: "I would be shocked."

Rondo has been with the Celtics since 2006 and won the NBA title in 2008.