Brooks responds to accusation that Rockets are targeting Curry’s injured thumb
Dillon Brooks was once again the centre of conversation after his side’s series-extending Game 5 win over the Golden State Warriors.
Dillon Brooks never has any issue with playing the villain.
Time and again throughout Brooks’ career, the Mississauga, Ont., native has been at the centre of controversy centred around his aggressive and brash play.
The Houston Rockets guard was once again in the middle of some drama after his side’s series-extending Game 5 win over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday
Brooks and his Rockets teammates were accused by Golden State’s broadcast team of targeting Warriors star Stephen Curry‘s injured thumb during the game.
Curry, who had his right thumb wrapped during the game and had a bag of ice taped on it afterward, had attention brought to the potential injury in a picture circulating online of him walking to the team plane ahead of Game 5.
“If I had an injured ankle, I would attack that ankle every single time,” Brooks said when asked about the suggestion that he’s targeting Curry’s thumb by swiping at it.
“So, whatever they’re saying on the broadcast, they can keep saying it.”
Rockets coach Ime Udoka refused to comment on his team targeting Curry’s thumb, and Warriors coach Steve Kerr said that such contact is legal under the current rules, so there isn’t much they can do to stop it.
“On every release, Steph is getting hit. But it’s basically within the rules. It’s how the league wants it right now,” Kerr said.
The back-and-forth comes after Brooks and Warriors forward Jimmy Butler mixed it up in Game 4. After an on-court confrontation was picked up by the broadcast, Butler said after the game, “We’re not having fun. Get me on record with this, I don’t like Dillon Brooks.”
Curry, Butler and the rest of Golden State’s starters spent most of the second half watching from the bench Wednesday after Kerr inserted his reserves with about five minutes left in the third quarter and Houston up by 29.
The two-time MVP scored 13 points on four-of-12 shooting in just 23 minutes, while adding seven assists, three rebounds and three made three-pointers.
Asked about the state of his thumb after the loss, Curry answered with one word.
“Cold,” he said.
When pressed, he provided a few more details.
“I don’t even know how to answer it,” he said. “Something you are dealing with and keep it moving as long as I can play. I’ve got it wrapped for a reason.”
He was emphatic when asked if it was impacting his game.
“No,” he said. “None. No.”
— With files from the Associated Press
