NBA Playoffs 2025: Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry showed visible frustration early in Game 5 against the Houston Rockets after no foul was called when Dillon Brooks appeared to hit his injured thumb during a shot attempt.

The incident occurred less than four minutes into the first quarter at the Toyota Center. Curry pulled up for a three-pointer, guarded closely by Alperen Şengün and Dillon Brooks. As Brooks closed out, he seemed to make contact with Curry’s heavily bandaged right thumb — a lingering injury that has been bothering the two-time MVP for months.

“The Rockets appear to be targeting Steph’s thumb early on,” NBC Sports Bay Area noted in a post on X.

After missing the shot, Curry voiced his frustration to the nearest referee while a loose-ball foul was called on the rebound. No foul was assessed on the shooting contact by Brooks, leading to Curry’s heated reaction.

Though Brooks’ play didn’t seem malicious, the contact raised concerns given Curry’s ongoing thumb injury. The incident added tension to what has already been a heated series. Steph Curry and Dillon Brooks had a verbal exchange in Game 4, and the rivalry continues to intensify as the NBA playoffs 2025 progress.