SAN FRANCISCO – A longtime Warriors antagonist added another layer of animosity on Friday to what has already been a contentious series between Golden State and the Houston Rockets.
In a first-round playoff series defined by physical play, an injury to Warriors star Jimmy Butler, technical fouls and feuds that have existed for years, there is little love between the teams.
Butler was injured after being undercut by Houston forward and San Leandro native Amen Thompson in the first quarter.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he did not believe there was any malicious intent behind the foul that knocked Butler out of the game and left the guard questionable for Game 3 with a pelvic injury.
Rockets forward Dillon Brooks saw things differently.
“I think the dirty player is Draymond (for) giving him a little push as regular basketball players do,” Brooks told media in response to assertions that Thompson’s play may have been dirty. “We hope Jimmy can get better.”
During media availability after Friday’s practice at Chase Center, Kerr had a short answer in response to what the Rockets forward said.
“Dillon said that? Interesting,” Kerr said.
Green’s teammate, Moses Moody, gave a sarcastic response to Brooks’ assertion.
“It’s a little ironic, isn’t it,” Moody asked rhetorically.
During the 2022 Western Conference semifinals as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies, Brooks’ flagrant foul on Gary Payton II fractured the Warriors’ wing’s elbow.
Payton did not return until Game 2 of the NBA Finals against Boston.