NBA rumors: Warriors prefer to rest Klay Thompson for NBA Finals Game 3

Programming note: Watch the NBA Finals pregame edition of Warriors Outsiders on Wednesday at 4 p.m., streaming live on the MyTeams app.

The Warriors announced on Monday evening that Klay Thompson is questionable for Game 3 of the NBA Finals because of a mild left hamstring strain.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Klay's status remains the same. Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters in his pre-game press conference that Klay's status is a true game-time decision.

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Per Warriors coach Steve Kerr, 110 minutes before tipoff of Game 3 of The Finals: Klay Thompson (hamstring strain) still game time decision.
— Monte Poole (@MontePooleNBCS) June 5, 2019

He is listed as "active" on the team's injury report, but that doesn't mean he will play. Kevin Durant and Kevon Looney are taking up the inactive spots.

However, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne reported Wednesday that Warriors officials are hoping Klay sits out for Game 3. Thompson, conversely, is still lobbying to play.

Reporting with @ramonashelburne: Golden State officials prefer Klay Thompson sit out Game 3 to protect his sore hamstring for the rest of NBA Finals, but Thompson has continued to lobby them on playing tonight. Decision looms prior to tip.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 5, 2019

As of Tuesday, the five-time All-Star still was preparing as if he would take the floor against the Raptors.

"He says he's feeling well and that he's feeling a lot better today than he did yesterday," Golden State coach Steve Kerr told reporters after Tuesday's practice. "And he thinks he'll be ready to go. But as I said the other night, Klay's always gonna say he's ready to go.

"What we'll have to determine is that a risk? If he plays, are we risking anything? If the training staff feels good about his ability to go out there and play without making things worse, then he'll play.

"It's literally day-to-day."

Klay Thompson is currently getting some shots up at Warriors practice at Oracle Arena (with Bob Myers and Rick Celebrini watching closely) pic.twitter.com/4BgLsA9ljP
— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) June 4, 2019

Klay sustained the injury with about 10:40 remaining in the fourth quarter of Game 2 in Toronto.

He stayed on the floor for a couple minutes before exiting for good with 7:59 left.

Klay Thompson had already strained his hamstring, yet was able to play defense like this against VanVleet. Pretty incredible pic.twitter.com/x87h9ca2ko
— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) June 4, 2019

Kevin Durant has been ruled out for Game 3 on Wednesday already. So if Klay is unable to go as well, you can probably expect more box-and-one defense from the Raptors on Steph Curry.

Here’s the first possession of the Raptors going box-and-1 on Curry. Look at Nick Nurse jumping around on the sideline. Haha. It worked here for sure but how is this a foul on Curry? VanVleet stops and pushes Curry... pic.twitter.com/ytjrIC7HTV
— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) June 3, 2019

[WARRIORS OUTSIDERS PODCAST: Dubs outlast Raptors, even Finals at 1-1]

Game 4 is on Friday night in Oakland.