Curry's thumb has become a subplot of this series, specifically on the local Warriors broadcast of the games when Brooks has been guarding the four-time champion. In Game 5, there was a moment when Warriors play-by-play broadcaster Bob Fitzgerald expressed frustration with how Brooks was guarding Curry.

If I had an injured ankle, I would attack that ankle every single time,” Dillon Brooks said when told of accusations from Golden State’s broadcast.

After Curry’s jump shots, Rockets defenders made an effort to swipe at his compromised digit while he snapped his wrist. The Warriors’ television broadcast picked up the trend during Game 5, which led to accusations that the Rockets were attempting to injure Curry.