Last Friday, while the New Orleans Pelicans were playing the Oklahoma City Thunder, veteran point guard Rajon Rondo suffered a sports hernia.

The NBA champ has an appointment with a specialist in Philadelphia on Oct. 10. Since Rondo only played seven minutes in the game, the seriousness of the matter might require surgery. Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry was all too familiar with the situation and projected that Rondo will need to sit out for the next four weeks.

"I am not a medical doctor. We'll see what happens after he sees a specialist," Gentry said in an interview with The Advocate. During the pre-season game, Rondo was able to score six points for his team and secured two rebounds.

A sports hernia happens when any of the soft tissue in the lower abdomen or groin is torn or strain. This injury often occurs in sports where athletes often do sudden changes of direction or intense twisting movements

After their loss to Oklahoma, New Orleans played Rondo's previous team, Chicago and finished with a 108-95 win. Taking Rondo's spot at the point was E'Twaun Moore who scored nine points and nine rebounds. Ian Clark provided the team seven points and seven rebounds. Gentry rotated his players during the game so as not give away much before the regular season started.

Last season, Rondo lead the Bulls to a two-straight win against Boston Celtics during the Eastern Conference Finals. Rondo signed with the Pelicans for one year under a $3.3 million contract after he was waived by Chicago.

Gentry calls Rondo a great leader since the four-time-all-stars-point guard takes good care of the younger members of his club. The coach added that he considers Rondo as great mentor to the younger players in the league.

The Pelicans will be playing the Grizzlies on Oct. 18 for their first match of the regular season.