Houston defended Amen Thompson over the fall that injured Jimmy Butler, while Dillon Brooks called Draymond Green the dirty player in the series.
Butler suffered a pelvic and deep gluteal contusion during Game 2 and was listed as questionable for the next meeting.
Brooks backs his teammate
Thompson and Butler challenged for a rebound before the Warriors forward fell heavily and left the game.
Brooks said the collision was part of a basketball play and insisted Thompson had no reputation for dirty conduct.
When asked directly about the label, he shifted the accusation toward Green instead.
Udoka sees an accidental fall
Rockets coach Ime Udoka said Thompson had been bumped and tripped as bodies converged around the rebound.
He argued that no player would deliberately fall face first into an opponent and distinguished physical play from a dirty act.
Udoka also suggested Golden State’s own actions could be questioned in an increasingly tense series.
Physical series moves to San Francisco
Game 2 included technical fouls for both teams and a flagrant foul on Jalen Green for catching Draymond Green in the face.
Houston’s 109-94 win levelled the first-round matchup at 1-1 before Game 3 in San Francisco.
Brooks wished Butler a quick recovery but dismissed the criticism surrounding Thompson. The exchange added another layer of hostility to a series already being played at playoff intensity.
