Sat May 03 12:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Rockets’ Brooks Defends Actions After Warriors Accuse Him of Targeting Curry’s Injured Thumb

**Houston, TX** – The Houston Rockets defeated the Golden State Warriors 131-116 in Game 5 of their Western Conference first-round series, sparking controversy over Rockets forward Dillon Brooks’s apparent targeting of Stephen Curry’s injured right thumb.

Following the game, Warriors coach Steve Kerr, along with players Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, expressed concern over what they perceived as intentional contact with Curry’s injured thumb, noting several instances where Brooks appeared to make contact with the injured digit after the release of Curry’s shots – an action technically legal under current NBA rules. A Golden State broadcaster also highlighted the alleged targeting in Games 4 and 5.

While Curry downplayed the issue, stating that if it was a foul, the referees should have called it, Green acknowledged the apparent pattern. Kerr was more outspoken, calling the current rule allowing such contact “the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard” and urging the league to amend it to prevent future injuries. He emphasized that the rule is being exploited by players across the league.

Brooks vehemently denied any wrongdoing, stating, “If [someone] had an injured ankle, I would attack that ankle every single time.” He dismissed the Warriors’ claims, suggesting they were simply making excuses.

Despite Curry’s diminished scoring output in the past two games (30 points combined), Kerr insisted the thumb injury wasn’t significantly impacting his performance. He attributed Curry’s struggles more to the effective defense of Houston’s Amen Thompson, who recorded five steals in the first half.

The Warriors, while trailing 3-2 in the series, remain confident, drawing on their experience from past playoff comebacks. Green compared the situation to their 2022 series against the Memphis Grizzlies, where they overcame a significant deficit to ultimately win the championship. Both Green and Kerr emphasized the team’s collective experience and resilience in handling setbacks. The series continues Friday in Game 6 at Chase Center in San Francisco.

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