Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr didn’t hold back. After a bruising Game 5 loss to the Houston Rockets, Kerr called out what he feels is a glaring flaw in the NBA’s rulebook.
One that’s letting teams, like Houston, get away with taking extra shots at Stephen Curry’s injured thumb. While Curry continues to suit up and fight through it, Kerr made it clear: this isn’t just playoff basketball. It’s borderline abuse, and it needs to stop.
Rockets Go Full Contact, Curry Catches the Heat
In a series that’s had plenty of back-and-forths, Game 5 brought more than just a 131-116 win for the Houston Rockets, it spotlighted something that had been brewing beneath the surface. With the Golden State Warriors up 3-2 in the series, the Rockets turned up the physicality, and their main target? Curry’s right thumb.
That same thumb, already wrapped like a mummy from a New Year’s Day sprain, has become a magnet for hits, especially from defenders like Dillon Brooks, Amen Thompson, and Alperen Şengun. The Rockets know what they’re doing. Everyone does.
Curry didn’t blame anyone directly postgame, staying level-headed as always. He dropped 13 points in just 23 minutes, shooting 4-of-12 overall and 3-of-9 from deep. Still solid. Still dangerous. But clearly bothered. And while he and Kerr both insisted the thumb isn’t affecting his shot, the frustration was written all over the Warriors’ bench.
“They’re going right at it,” Kerr said. “On every release, Steph’s getting hit. And the rules let ‘em do it. But that doesn’t mean it’s right.”
Kerr Demands Change, Calls NBA Rule the ‘Dumbest Thing’
The rule in question? The one that allows “minimal contact” after a player releases a shot. It’s vague. It’s open to interpretation. And Kerr thinks it’s downright ridiculous. Especially when players are clearly targeting a vulnerable spot like Curry’s thumb.
“I do believe [officials] are allowed to call a flagrant if they want,” Kerr explained. “If a guy winds up and takes a shot, refs can whistle that. But they don’t. It’s been happening all year. It’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”
"It's the dumbest thing I've ever heard, but we have to take it through the league process to get that changed."
Kerr wants to see rule a change after the Rockets went at Steph's thumb all night pic.twitter.com/U2GmUF3ZmD
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors)
Kerr isn’t just venting. He says the Warriors will take it up with the league office in the offseason, aiming to push for a more defined rule that protects shooters. Because let’s be real, this isn’t just physical playoff defense. It’s calculated. It’s targeted. And it’s taking a toll.
Curry’s averaging 23.4 points in the series, shooting a clean 48.8% from the field and nearly 40% from downtown. He’s still Curry. But for how long can he keep absorbing hits to a hand that barely looks functional?
Kerr knows the answer: not forever. And if the league doesn’t tighten up how contact after the shot is enforced, more stars will suffer.
