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.

The Golden State Warriors were blown out by the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night in Game 5, as Houston led by as much as 31 points before Golden State's fourt