BREAKING: Steve Kerr Sends Clear Message Amid Serious Steph Curry Accusation in Rockets-Warriors
Head coach Steve Kerr had to pull the Golden State Warriors’ starters by the middle of the third quarter in the Warriors’ 131-116 loss to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.
Although the decision was solely based on the lopsided score, the silver lining was that the bench may have been the safest place for Stephen Curry.
The Warriors star has been at the center of serious accusations facing the Rockets during the Western Conference NBA playoff series, which is now 3-2 in favor of Golden State.
Claims that Houston has been targeting Curry’s injured thumb when defending his jump shots grew louder in Golden State’s Game 5 loss. After an official Warriors broadcast channel added fuel to the fire on social media, Kerr had no choice but to address the controversy in his postgame press conference.
Curry has been playing with a wrap on his right thumb all series after suffering an injury in the Warriors’ penultimate game of the regular season on April 11. He has not missed any games, but Kerr has noticed it is a point of emphasis on opposing scouting reports.
“On every release, Steph’s getting hit,” Kerr said without hesitation.
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr (left) and guard Stephen Curry (right).
Petre Thomas, Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
“This is how the league wants it right now,” the nine-time NBA champion continued. “I know we got 30 coaches who all think it’s just idiotic that we allow this.”
“Players all over the league are taking shots at guys’ shooting hands after release because they know it’s not gonna be a foul,” Kerr said, blaming a loophole in the rules rather than the players who are abusing it.
Kerr expressed confidence that in the offseason, the NBA would make a change to the rules around shooting fouls. He said it was only a matter of time before there was an injury even more serious than Curry’s thumb issues.
With his comments, Kerr ended up defending Rockets players like Dillon Brooks, who admitted to targeting Curry after the game just like the Warriors coach suggested.
“If I had an injured ankle, I would attack that ankle every single time,” Brooks said with no remorse. “So, whatever they’re saying on the broadcast, they can keep saying it.”
The Warriors and Rockets will take more swipes at one another when the series continues on Friday with another chance for Golden State to close it out at home in Game 6.