Play of the Day: Russell Westbrook

The NBA and NBPA have extended their opt-out deadline of the current collective bargaining agreement twice as they continue to negotiate a deal. During All-Star weekend, both sides expressed optimism talks are moving in the right direction.

“I would just say it’s an absolute priority for us as well to get a deal done as soon as possible,” Silver said at his annual news conference.

Tamika Tremaglio echoed Silver’s sentiment a couple of hours earlier, after the NBPA spent the past two days meeting to elect members to its executive committee and discuss the CBA talks.

“We are very motivated to get this done,” Tremaglio said. “Our players are very competitive, and we want to see [this to] completion as well. So, it is absolutely a priority for us.”

“I would say that we’re in a great space,” said CJ McCollum, who is president of the NBPA. “We continue to move forward, and I’m happy with the progress that we continue to make, although there is room for more improvement in areas in which we’ll continue to grow. I think we’re definitely heading in the right direction.”

Klay Thompson was on the bench down the stretch of the Golden State Warriors loss at the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. Thompson said it felt “strange” to be on the bench in the clutch, but that it was “deserved”.

Thompson said, “I’ve been playing like crap” when asked about not being in the game late. He said Warriors coach Steve Kerr didn’t give him an explanation for the benching, but that he doesn’t need one either.

“I trust Steve. I trust Steve now and forever will,” Thompson said.

The veteran guard is in the midst of the worst season of his career. Thompson is shooting under 40% from the field for the first time, as he’s at 39.7% on the season. Thompson is also at a career-worst from behind the arc at 34.3%. That’s led to the long-time Warrior averaging 15.4 points, which is Thompson’s lowest mark since his rookie season.