Warriors’ Concerns Over Curry’s Thumb as Rockets Capitalize on NBA Rule Loophole
HOUSTON — In a game that left the Golden State Warriors scratching their heads, Stephen Curry found himself at the center of a brewing controversy. With 8:21 left in the first quarter, Curry launched a three-pointer, only to be met by the Houston Rockets’ Alperen Sengun and Dillon Brooks, who were flying at him with the intensity of a Texas tornado. Brooks’ right arm made contact with Curry’s right hand and injured thumb after the release of the shot. But, to the dismay of the Warriors, no foul was called. Curry, visibly frustrated, gestured repeatedly to the officials, making a swiping down motion with his right arm. Moments later, Warriors coach Steve Kerr joined in, pleading with the officials for some justice.
After the Rockets’ 131-116 victory over the Warriors in Game 5 at the Toyota Center, the question on everyone’s mind was whether Brooks and the Rockets were intentionally targeting Curry’s injured thumb. According to NBA rules, this move is allowed as long as the contact occurs after the shot is released. The Warriors, however, chose not to delve into the topic, despite reporters’ persistent inquiries, fueled by a Golden State broadcaster’s observation that the Rockets had targeted Curry’s thumb in both Game 4 and Game 5.
“You don’t think about it,” Curry said, who managed 13 points and seven assists in 23 minutes on Wednesday night. “And if it’s a foul, they should call it.”
Curry’s thumb injury dates back to January, and every time it seemed to improve, it would get hit again. The thumb had been on the mend until he reinjured it in the penultimate game of the regular season. Despite playing with a wrap around the thumb and receiving post-game icing and treatment, Curry insists it doesn’t affect his performance. “It is something I am dealing with,” he admitted.
Warriors power forward Draymond Green also noticed the Rockets’ tactics. “I think it’s pretty obvious, but it is what it is,” he said. “I’m not one to come to cry to you about what the league should do.”
Kerr, while not blaming players for exploiting the rules, believes the league needs to address this loophole next season. “So the rule is once the shot has been released, you’re allowed to hit a guy’s arm,” Kerr explained. “And so what’s happened in the league this year is, players always are, they’re going to outsmart the rules. They know what they’re doing. So players all over the league are just taking shots at guys’ shooting hands after the release because they know it’s not going to be a foul. And I’m very confident that next year the league will fix it because it’s only a matter of time before somebody breaks a thumb or breaks a hand or whatever. But these are the rules.”
Brooks, when informed of the Golden State broadcast’s comments, dismissed them with a shrug. “I’ve been playing the game,” he said. “If [someone] 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.”
Curry’s shooting has been less than stellar in the past two games, going 10-for-25 overall and 5-for-17 from behind the 3-point arc, totaling 30 points since his 36-point performance in Game 3. Game 5 spiraled out of control as Houston surged to a 30-point lead in the second quarter, prompting Kerr to pull his starters with 5:50 left in the third. Curry struggled against Amen Thompson’s relentless defense, with Thompson racking up five steals in the first half alone.
“No, I don’t think it’s impacting him,” Kerr said of Curry’s thumb. “It’s just players are going to do whatever they’re allowed to do. So on every release Steph’s getting hit, but it’s basically within the rules. So that’s how the league wants it right now, and I know we got 30 coaches who all think it’s just idiotic that we allow this, so we’ll have to take it through the competition committee, all that stuff this summer and eventually we’ll get it fixed.”
Despite trailing by as much as 31 in a close-out game, the Warriors remain unfazed. They’ve been in similar situations before, like during their 2022 title run when they led 3-1 in the second round against the Grizzlies but lost 134-95 in Game 5 at Memphis. The Warriors trailed by 55 in the third quarter of that game, with the arena playing “Whoop that Trick!” as the Grizzlies celebrated. Green famously danced along, towel in hand, despite the deficit.
The Warriors went on to close out the Grizzlies in Game 6 and secured their fourth championship of the Curry era. “You kind of seen everything. They weren’t playing ‘Whoop that Trick,’ but they may as well have,” Green said of the Rockets on Wednesday. “But yeah, at this point in our careers, we’ve seen it all, had all the experiences. So you got something to draw back on. Yeah, they played a good game. Whether they win by one or 50, it’s a playoff series. It counts as one win.”
Green, seen discussing adjustments with assistant coaches and Jimmy Butler on the sideline, said the Warriors “turned the page quick.” Kerr plans to rely on the championship pedigree he shares with Curry and Green, and he noted Butler’s experience in bouncing back from missed opportunities to close out playoff series.
“Our guys have been here many times,” Kerr said. “Jimmy’s been here many times. I think a couple of years ago [in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals], Jimmy was part of that Miami team that was up 3-0 against Boston, lost the next three, and then had to win on the road in Game 7. This is what the playoffs are about.”
Butler assured that he and the Warriors will be ready for Game 6 on Friday at Chase Center. “We’re fine,” Butler said. “Our confidence isn’t going to waver any.”
ESPN’s Michael C. Wright contributed to this report.
Originally Written by: Ohm Youngmisuk
