Houston Rockets' Amen Thompson is under scrutiny after a hard foul that injured Golden State Warriors’ Jimmy Butler III during Game 2 of their playoff series. Critics have branded Thompson a dirty player, but teammate Dillon Brooks defended him, attributing the incident to a normal basketball play. Brooks remarked that Draymond Green's push was more questionable, asserting Thompson's innocence.

Butler was deemed questionable for Game 3 due to a pelvic injury, further complicating the series tied at one game apiece. Coaches from both teams, including Steve Kerr and Ime Udoka, echoed Brooks' sentiments, emphasizing that Thompson's actions were not intentional. This incident has sparked discussions about the fine line between aggressive play and dirty tactics, especially as both teams navigate the high stakes of playoff basketball.

ESPN's projection for the 2025 NBA playoffs highlights three Houston Rockets players—Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Dillon Brooks—as key impactful figures, placing them among the league's top 50. With the Rockets securing the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, their depth will be crucial in their playoff run against the No. 7 Golden State Warriors.

All-Star center Sengun is noted for his strong performances against the Warriors, while Thompson's defensive skills will be tested against Stephen Curry. Brooks has a history with the Warriors, which adds intensity to the matchup. Despite not making the top 50, leading scorer Jalen Green and highest-paid player Fred VanVleet will play pivotal roles in leveraging Houston's depth to combat the Warriors' stars.

The NBA playoffs are set to kick off with an unprecedented number of Canadian players in the mix. This season, 25 Canadians graced the league, and several standouts are poised to make significant impacts in the postseason. Leading the charge is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, whose remarkable scoring ability netted him an average of 32.7 points per game, placing him at the top of the league. His performance has been integral to the Oklahoma City Thunder's impressive 68-14 record, and he is a strong contender for the MVP title.

Other notable players include Luguentz Dort, who may not have flashy stats but is crucial to the Thunder's top defensive ranking. Jamal Murray, returning from injury, will be a player to watch given his playoff experience. Dillon Brooks has been vital in the Houston Rockets’ successful season, while young gun Bennedict Mathurin’s contributions will be necessary for the Indiana Pacers if they want to cause an upset.

The Houston Rockets, as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, have set their sights on a first-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors, the No. 7 seed, following the conclusion of the play-in tournament. Despite Golden State's 3-2 advantage in their regular-season series, the Rockets come into the playoffs with a strong defense, having held the Warriors to an anemic offensive rating of 104.2 in their matchups.

In a media session, veteran forward Dillon Brooks emphasized the Rockets' physicality and cohesion as key factors in their playoff readiness, stating, 'We’re the more physical team.' The Rockets, anticipating a competitive series, will host the first two games at Toyota Center before heading to Golden State. The winner of this series will face either the Los Angeles Lakers or the Minnesota Timberwolves in the next round.

The Golden State Warriors have stumbled as they face pressure from contenders in the West, particularly after losing to the Houston Rockets, who unveiled a successful strategy against the reigning champs. The Rockets' long, athletic defenders effectively neutralized Stephen Curry, limiting him to just 3 points on 1-of-10 shooting. This marked a significant drop in performance for Curry, as the Warriors exhibited uncharacteristic playmaking struggles, resulting in 20 turnovers during the game.

Despite contributions from other players like Jimmy Butler, Brandin Poddziemski, and Buddy Hield, none could compensate for Curry's off-night. The Rockets, on the other hand, showcased a balanced offensive attack with Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, and Alperen Sengun stepping up. This game serves as a blueprint for other teams looking to challenge the Warriors, although it remains to be seen if they can replicate the defensive intensity Houston displayed.