Warriors irked as Rockets take aim at Curry's injured thumb - ESPN

HOUSTON — With about 8:21 remaining in the first quarter, Stephen Curry launched a 3 pointer with the Rockets' Alperen Sengun and Dillon Brooks flying at him.

Brooks' right arm made contact with Curry's right hand and injured thumb after the release of the shot. But no foul was called, leading an exasperated Curry to repeatedly make a swiping down motion with his right arm to the officials. Moments later, Steve Kerr tried pleading with officials as well.

Following the Rockets' 131-116 win over the Warriors in Game 5 at the Toyota Center, Curry, Kerr and the Warriors were asked if Brooks and the Rockets were trying to purposely hit Curry's injured right thumb after he shoots — a move that is actually allowed by NBA rules, as long as the contact is made after the shot is released.

The Warriors did not broach the topic, but reporters repeatedly asked them about it after a Golden State broadcaster pointed out the Rockets had targeted Curry's thumb a few times in Game 4 and in Game 5.

«You don't think about it,» said Curry, who had 13 points and seven assists in 23 minutes on Wednesday night. «And if it's a foul, they should call it.»

Curry first suffered the injury to his thumb in January and said every time it started to get better, it would get hit again. The thumb got better, but he then reinjured it in the second-to-last game of the regular season.

Curry has played with a wrap around the thumb and has been icing it after games and getting treatment. He said it is not impacting how he plays.

«It is something I am dealing with,» he said.

Warriors power forward Draymond Green, when asked about the Rockets hitting Curry's thumb, said it was something he noticed, too.

«I think it's pretty obvious, but it is what it is,» he