The Boston Celtics are playing well as of late, winning their last three games including a come-from-behind victory over their erstwhile nemesis, the two-time defending champion Miami Heat after Jeff Green hit a desperation three-pointer over LeBron James on Saturday night.

The Celts appear to have gotten their acts together and their future may be even brighter if All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo, returns to the court soon.

Rondo has been cleared for contact but has yet to participate in 5-on-5 play, according to Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge as reported by Masslive.com.

"Rondo is practicing, he's been cleared to have some contact, like 1-on-1, but not 5-on-5 full court practice yet, so we're just taking it week by week right now," said Ainge. "But he's not ready to come back this week. I'm not sure when he'll be cleared but he's working really hard and we're anxious to get him ready to go."

The four-time All-Star tore his ACL in January and said last October that he believes full contact practice would follow after getting a knee brace.

Continued Ainge on the condition of his superstar: "I trust Rajon and I trust that he wants to play. Ultimately he's going to be the one determining that, not doctors and everybody else. He's a smart kid and if he's not comfortable mentally or physically, I trust that he'll make the right decision."

The Celtics traded away franchise player Paul Pierce and star forward Kevin Garnett last summer to commence its rebuilding program around Rondo, the only remnant of the 2008 championship team.