What happens when an immovable force meets an unstoppable object? NBA fans got to see it for themselves when Jimmy Butler and Dillon Brooks once again clashed in Game 4 of the Warriors-Rockets series. Both players have created a reputation for being feisty competitors and were expected to bring out their A-game during the recent matchup. Expectations were a little low on Jimmy Butler, as fans knew the player was still reeling from his deep glute muscle contusion. The injury, however, did not stop Dillon Brooks, who put out a defensive maneuver during the game that put it at risk! Fortunately, Butler assured everyone that Brooks’ actions were not enough to stop him.

In the aftermath of the Warriors’ close 109-106 win against the Houston Rockets, Jimmy Butler participated in a presser. During the same time, he was asked by a reporter about the incident that took place during the game’s final quarter. Dillon Brooks, who had been on Butler throughout the first half, committed a touch foul while Butler made a 3-pointer. If the contact had more physical force, Butler could have fallen on his back and aggravated his deep glute muscle contusion. ‘TheHoopFather’ reported that Jimmy Butler probably re-injured himself on this play. Other reports claimed that spectators saw Butler holding his back after the foul. The player dismissed the whole issue by highlighting that he was fine. At the same time, he found an opportunity to roast Stephen Curry, and he took it well.

“I mean, I fell on my tailbone before, but not as hard as I hit at that time. Didn’t like it. Wasn’t a great feeling. More than anything, I just wanted to play. This is the best time of the year for everybody. This is why you go through what you go through. So, to be able to miss a game, I don’t like it. But, I’m back, in a big way,” said Butler when discussing the glute contusion. When asked if the player had to wear a pad or anything, he replied, “No, no pad for me. I’m not Steph”. Yikes!

Butler’s remarks, of course, were a reference to the pelvic contusion Stephen Curry had sustained last month. The 3-point leader missed 2 straight games, back in March, after landing hard on his tailbone during a game against the Toronto Raptors. Upon returning, Anthony Slater reported that Stephen Curry had been wearing “a custom-made pad protecting his sore tailbone and pelvic area” to prevent another injury to that area of his body. The ‘butt pad’ certainly seemed to have amused Jimmy Butler. Fortunately, whether he wanted to avoid the trolling for himself, or he simply did not require any additional cushioning on his injured area, Butler could avoid the ‘butt pad’ completely.

From the way things looked after Jimmy Butler had that fall in Game 2, it felt like he would be absent for longer than one game. However, as the player himself highlighted, he would not have liked it if he missed a playoff game. Not only did the veteran turn up for Game 4, but he also put out his dominant performance by recording 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists in 40 minutes of playtime. He also scored Golden State’s final 7 points and grabbed an essential rebound that contributed to the team’s win. Butler could not have given a better example of why he stands firm against medical care. Stephen Curry understood where this prowess came from, as he has also had to play while not being 100% healthy. “Just the sense of urgency at the moment,” said Curry.

“No matter really how it looks, you understand it’s a long game, and there’s going to be opportunities for you to make your impact felt,” said Curry. “And just having a knack for, it doesn’t have to be loud scoring. Opportunities, or whatnot. Just, there are moments where you feel like you can make a play and you have the confidence in yourself to do it, so. It helps when somebody lights a fire under you, too. You know, we all saw that”.

That fire, as Butler himself revealed, was none other than Dillon Brooks himself.

Jimmy Butler highlighted being motivated by Dillon Brooks’ scuffle: “I like it when people start chirping”

“I’m loving it”. This is what Reggie Miller said as Jimmy Butler and Dillon Brooks created their intense moment during Game 4. Knowing the stakes that stood out for this particular matchup, people expected things to get a bit chippy. However, the game got filled with too many heated instances. Examples include Draymond Green and Dillon Brooks scuffling, and Green pulling at Tari Eason’s jersey and grabbing his leg. In comparison, Jimmy Butler and Dillon Brooks exchanging words during a dead-ball situation was low-key, but still noteworthy. As highlighted above, both players have created a reputation for being feisty competitors. As Butler highlighted, it is that sort of feistiness shared between him and Dillon Brooks that motivates him.

During the presser, Butler highlighted his process through which he gets going by stating, “We’re not going to do this. It’s just part of the game. Now, you know your body starts to warm up. You start to move a little bit better. We gain confidence. People start talking to you, and then, good things happen.” When asked if Dillon Brooks comes under the ‘people’, Butler humorously replied with a “Yeeeaaahhhh. Yes.” However, he refused to reveal what words were exactly exchanged between the duo. It’s something that Butler doesn’t want to mind for long, since “I mean, I like it when people start chirping. It’s been this way this entire series. I don’t think it’s gonna change. And, we’re gonna go out there, and we’re gonna compete, and we’re going to do what we’re supposed to do in Houston”.

Jimmy Butler may not have chosen to reveal details of the exchange. However, that still did not stop people from speculating. Several social media handles like NBA Central and BricksCenter have now reported that Butler was saying, “You a bum and a b*tch. You weak” to Brooks as the duo were standing close to each other at the edge of the court. This led to Brooks letting out a sarcastic laugh that could provoke anyone. Fortunately, an NBA official was there to control the duo, and neither Butler nor Brooks took the situation further.

Though he probably can’t help, Dillon Brooks should try not to provoke Jimmy Butler in Game 5. After all, losing that game would eliminate the Houston Rockets. When Jimmy Butler gets motivated, nothing would ensure a Rockets loss more.