“You can look at the last two games, every time Steph launches a 3 and Dillon Brooks is there, he’s whacking his right hand.” On-air announcers pointed out a concerning detail during last night’s Warriors vs Rockets broadcast. They accused Houston defenders of intentionally targeting Stephen Curry’s already injured thumb every time he attempts a shot.

Well, Curry has been playing through the injury ever since he jammed his thumb on Blazers’ Justin Minaya’s knee during a regular season game. And Ime Udoka’s team has seemingly exploited this weakness all series long. In one of last night’s plays, Steph was seen grimacing in pain after Dillon Brooks hit his injured hand during a shot contest. However, Steve Kerr highlighted that Brooks’ tactic was completely within the rules, “So, the rule in the NBA is once the shot has been released, you’re allowed to hit a guy’s arm.”

He continued, “They know what they’re doing. So, players all over the league are just taking shots at guys’ shooting hands after release because they know it’s not gonna be a foul.” Although the head coach believes the rule is “dumb” he can do nothing to change it right away. But Steph is seeking justice. Revealing his thoughts on Brooks’ controversial antics, Curry said, “You don’t think about it. If it’s a foul, they should call it. That’s it. If it’s a foul, they should call it.”

Yes, the sharpshooter emphasized that the officials should blow the whistle if Brooks or any other Rockets defender puts a little extra force into their contest. Sure, Curry realizes that it’s not easy for the refs to notice such minute details, “There’s a pattern of like when its full extension, what’s the full point of release. It’s hard for a ref, I get it. They’re trying to look at the body, look at the release, where contact is.” But he subtly mounted the pressure on them to call it when they see it, “It’s a subtle difference in how certain people do it that when I say if it’s a foul, it’s a foul.” While Steph is clearly getting hit during his shots and not getting the desired calls, he is not letting that shake his focus.

Stephen Curry not worried about Dillon Brooks’ antics as he gives crucial injury update

Although Curry put the refs on notice about Brooks’ controversial tactic, he is not letting it affect his game. “As a player, you can’t worry about it too much because whether you get the call or not. If you complain or you can complain, if you dwell on it and get distracted by it, then you’re not worried about making shots. I’m trying to do both. Make shots and if I get fouled, I let them know that I got fouled. That’s all.” He remarked.

Sure, Steph would love to get the calls he wants and head to the free throw line every time. But apart from complaining about it in real time, he is not giving the non-calls much thought. Right now, the focus is on playing his best basketball and advancing to the next round. So, Steph sat at the presser with his injured thumb wrapped in ice, already preparing for the next game.

Prior to last night’s game, an image of Curry’s sore thumb went viral on social media. It showed a massive golf ball size bulge on his knuckle underneath the thumb. When asked about it, Steph was taken aback at first, “You had the feds on me? What you talking about?” Then, he revealed how his thumb has actually been feeling, “I don’t even know how to answer it. This is something you’re dealing with and you keep it moving. As long as I can play, got a wrap for a reason but that’s it.”

Of course, the best-case scenario for him would be to clinch the series in Game 6 so that he gets a few days’ rest before the next round to heal his injury. So, Steph will likely fight through the pain one more time on Friday, hoping to finish the job and put an end to the Brooks situation. Do you think he can do it?