Game 3 of the first-round playoff series between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets was marked by intense physicality, with Dillon Brooks once again at the center of controversy. The Rockets guard drew criticism for his repeated attempts to target Steph Curry’s injured thumb and his dangerously aggressive closeouts throughout the game.
The most notable incident occurred in the fourth quarter when Curry, attempting a three-pointer, appeared to have his injured thumb swiped at by Brooks after releasing the ball.
Dillon Brooks trying to hit Stephen Curry’s injured thumb even after the ball is released… Doubling down even… pic.twitter.com/sIRUwK2vsH
— OpenCourt-Basketball (@OpenCourtFB) April 27, 2025
Brooks’ physicality didn’t stop there. On multiple occasions, his closeouts on Curry and other Warriors players were deemed reckless, with one instance in the fourth quarter drawing a collective gasp from the crowd. Brooks lunged forward on a contested three-point attempt, narrowly avoiding Curry’s landing space—a move that could have resulted in a dangerous injury.
This Dillon Brooks closeout 😡 pic.twitter.com/M31eFE4zX7
— OpenCourt-Basketball (@OpenCourtFB) April 27, 2025
Curry, despite the physical play, managed to deliver a strong performance, scoring 36 points and hitting five three-pointers, while adding seven rebounds and nine assists. The Warriors, who were without Jimmy Butler, who was sidelined with a pelvic contusion, were able to capitalize on Curry’s performance, securing a 104-93 victory to re-take the series lead.
Brooks, known for his defensive intensity and willingness to push boundaries, has often been a polarizing figure in the league. While his aggressive style can disrupt opponents, it has also drawn criticism for crossing the line into unsportsmanlike conduct.
