Dillon Brooks was one of the key instigators in the series, having multiple differences with stars like Draymond Green and Steph Curry. After Houston's Game 5 win, Brooks and Rockets center Alperen Sengun wore shades to their (indoor) post-game media commitments, a slight that Curry didn't forget.

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.

Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Dillon Brooks got into it during Game 4 of the Golden State Warriors vs Houston Rockets series