The Houston Rockets did an outstanding job of making life miserable for Stephen Curry on Sunday night, but Jimmy Butler seems to think there was a lot of help from the officiating crew.
The Rockets played with a great sense of urgency in their 106-96 win over the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif. Curry was held to just 3 points on a miserable 1-for-10 shooting night. Butler believes the referees had a big hand in that.
Following the game, Butler was asked for his thoughts on the Rockets shutting Curry down. Butler said he finds it “astounding” how often Curry gets followed without the benefit of a whistle.
“They did a good job of whatever you want to call it,” Butler said with a smirk. “I’ve never seen an individual get fouled more than he gets fouled. To me, I think that’s astounding. It’s crazy to say, but he’s used to it. It’s been happening to him his whole career. He’s found a way through it, around it, under it, whatever you want to call it.”
It is clear Butler felt the Rockets got away with a lot while defending Curry, but Butler said that is nothing new for the NBA’s all-time three-point king.
“I’m pretty sure it’s been happening for 16 straight years. It really angers me that he’s on my team and he gets hacked like that,” Butler added.
Jimmy Butler on Steph Curry: “I’ve never seen an individual get fouled more than he gets fouled.” pic.twitter.com/05RaYEUL07
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 7, 2025
Curry was openly frustrated during Sunday night’s game, which contributed to the heated exchange he had with Rockets head coach Ime Udoka.
Amen Thompson was responsible for much of the smothering defense that Houston played against Curry. With the Rockets now in 2nd place in the West and the Warriors tied for 5th, there is a chance the two teams could meet again in the postseason. That is likely one reason Butler felt it was worthwhile to voice his concerns about Curry being fouled.
Curry had been on an absolute tearing entering Sunday. He had 125 points across Golden State’s previous three games. The dud against Houston led to everyone making the same joke about the future Hall of Famer.
