The Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets just recently wrapped up an intense playoff series that went to seven games in the first round.
Houston rallied from a 3-1 deficit to force a Game 7, but Golden State came out on top in the deciding contest behind a fantastic shooting night from Buddy Hield and a strong all-around game from Stephen Curry.
Rockets defensive ace Dillon Brooks made a decision after the game that rubbed Warriors star Draymond Green the wrong way. Brooks quickly made his way off the court without shaking hands, and Green recently called him out for that and claimed players don’t respect him.
— . (@TheNBACentral) May 6, 2025
“Dillon Brooks ran off the court,” Green said. “So when I say you see what guys is made of, he ran off the court. Ain’t shake nobody up. And you admitted that you was trying to hurt Steph hand, which again, fine by me, bro. I get it — we all get it when you hoop — you know what I’m saying? So, if you gonna be on that type of time, wear shades in the press conference, you gonna be talking, you gonna be Mr. big bad wolf, don’t lose and then not face the music.”
He continued.
“You lose respect — when guys lose respect for you in this league, it don’t matter, and it’s gonna catch you in the end,” Green said. “Dillon Brooks couldn’t come through in this series in large part because nobody on the court respects you.”
Brooks played in every one of the games of the seven-game series and averaged 12.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. He also shot 44.4 percent from the field and 34.5 percent from 3-point range in his first playoff series as a member of the Rockets.
Surprisingly, he averaged nearly as many points per contest as Jalen Green — Houston’s leading scorer during the 2024-25 regular season — in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Jalen Green, who averaged 21.0 points in his fourth NBA season, saw his scoring average dip all the way to 13.3 points per game against Golden State.
It is worth noting that the series marked Jalen Green’s first taste of playoff action at the pro level.
The first-round series in this year’s playoffs isn’t the only time that Draymond Green has sent Brooks home in the playoffs. Back in the 2022 NBA Playoffs — when Brooks still played for the Memphis Grizzlies alongside guard Ja Morant — the Warriors eliminated Brooks’ Grizzlies in six games in the second round and went on to win a title later that year.
Based on Green’s words on Brooks’ choice not to shake hands following the Rockets’ Game 7 loss, there is no love lost between them. Hopefully, Brooks and Green will cross paths once again in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, and if so, maybe Brooks will be able to redeem himself that time around and get the better of Golden State.
The Warriors will play the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round after taking care of the Rockets, and that series kicks off on Tuesday.
