Why isn’t Klay Thompson starting against the Lakers today, Feb. 22?

The Golden State Warriors return to action for the final stretch of the NBA’s regular season tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers. Aside from Chris Paul, Golden State will have all hands on deck, but one of their stars is going to come off the bench.

Klay’s new role

It’s been a difficult year for Klay Thompson who has had to adapt to his new role on a team that he helped build into a dynasty. The other half of the Splash Brothers has seen Father Time catch up to him after suffering two potentially career ending injuries only a few years ago.

While Klay is still the second highest scorer on the team, his role has diminished. Just a few weeks ago he was benched in the fourth quarter of the Warriors game in Brooklyn against the Nets. When asked how it was watching the end of that game from the bench he responded, “Yeah, you kidding me? To go from one of the best players… It’s hard for anybody.”

Right before the All-Star Break, the Warriors played a make up game against the Utah Jazz and Klay Thompson came off the bench for the first time March 2012. Instead of sulking about head coach Steve Kerr’s decision, the four time champion came off the bench and scored 35 points on 13/22 shooting.

Thompson is a smart enough guy to know his body may not be holding up the way it did when he was in during his 20s, but he has proved he can still be a valuable part of this team.

Last game, it was rookie Brandon Podziemski who started in place of Thompson. What Klay will be hoping more than a place in the starting five is getting his minutes late in the fourth quarter when the game is on the line.