The Houston Rockets kept their season alive with a dominant 131-116 win over the Golden State Warriors in Game 5, but the victory wasn’t without controversy. Dillon Brooks found himself at the center of heated discussions after seemingly admitting to targeting Stephen Curry’s injured right thumb throughout the game.
During the postgame broadcast, Brooks was asked about accusations that he had been deliberately swiping at Curry’s thumb, which had been visibly swollen and wrapped throughout the series. Instead of denying the claims, Brooks responded candidly:
“If I had an injured ankle, I would attack that ankle every single time. So, whatever they’re saying on the broadcast, they can keep saying it.”
Dillon Brooks on whether he’s trying to get at Steph’s thumb:
“If I had an injured ankle, I would attack that ankle every single time. So, whatever they’re saying on the broadcast, they can keep saying it” pic.twitter.com/j3SwixMdDQ
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) May 1, 2025
His remarks immediately ignited debate among fans, with many questioning whether Brooks had crossed a line in competitive play. While targeting weaknesses is a common strategy in sports, deliberately going after an injury raises ethical concerns.
The Rockets came out firing, scoring 40 points in the first quarter and never looking back. Fred VanVleet led the charge with 26 points, while Amen Thompson added 25 points and six rebounds. Brooks himself had a strong offensive showing, contributing 24 points in 29 minutes.
On the Warriors’ side, Curry struggled, finishing with 13 points on 4-of-12 shooting, along with seven assists and three rebounds. His thumb injury appeared to be a factor, as he was seen icing it postgame. When asked about the swelling, Curry kept his response brief:
“Cold.”
Reporter: “State of your thumb right now?”
Steph: “Cold.” 😅😂 pic.twitter.com/W28MKOA33B
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 1, 2025
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr acknowledged that Curry was being hit on every shot release but noted that such contact is within the rules. Meanwhile, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka refused to engage in discussions about Brooks’ tactics, dismissing questions about whether his player was intentionally targeting Curry.
The controversy surrounding Brooks adds another layer to his reputation as one of the NBA’s most polarizing figures. His physical play has drawn criticism in the past, including an infamous incident in 2022, when he injured Gary Payton II during the playoffs.
With the series now at 3-2, the Rockets will travel to San Francisco for Game 6, hoping to force a decisive Game 7. The Warriors, on the other hand, will need Curry at his best if they want to close out the series and avoid further injury concerns.
