Dillon Brooks’ Trash Talk Brings Out Best Of Playoff Jimmy Butler

If there’s a “behind the scenes” moment that swung Game 4 in the Golden State Warriors’ favor, it was Dillon Brooks trash-talking Jimmy Butler.

With just over two minutes remaining in the first half, Butler and Brooks were standing beside each other as Tari Eason attempted free throws. Brooks loves to get under opposing player’s skins and Butler had clearly had enough.

As Butler tore into Brooks, the Rockets’ lead instigator gave a hearty laugh in response to Butler’s words. The disparity in each player’s performance between the first half and second half says all that needs to be said.

Brooks had 11 points, five rebounds and a steal in the first half but was held scoreless in the second and grabbed just one rebound. Butler, on the other hand, went from a four-point, two-rebound, two-assist first half to racking up 23 points, three rebounds and four assists in the second half.

More importantly, the Warriors went from trailing by seven at halftime to emerging with a 109-106 victory.

Dillon Brooks needs to learn an important rule:
DON’T POKE THE BEAR
Brooks:
1st Half: 11 PTS, 5 REB, 1 STL
2nd Half: 0 PTS, 1 REB
Butler:
1st Half: 4 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST
2nd Half: 23 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST pic.twitter.com/JxxZLRQLjJ

— BBALLBREAKDOWN (@bballbreakdown) April 29, 2025

Speaking after the game, Butler was happy to let the world know Brooks’ comments were a factor.

“No, we’re not having fun,” Butler said when asked about the back-and-forth. “I don’t like Dillon Brooks, so we’re never having fun. I’m a fierce competitor, he’s a fierce competitor, but ain’t nothing fun about that.”

It appears Brooks isn’t one for letting sleeping dogs lie.

“I don’t like Dillon Brooks.” — Jimmy Butler 😳 pic.twitter.com/84vxd5v4bz

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) April 29, 2025

Brooks Helps Butler Add To Playoff Jimmy Lore

This is another fine chapter for the book of Playoff Jimmy.

After falling hard during the first quarter of Game 2, Butler could have been out for an extended period. He was diagnosed with both a pelvic and deep gluteal muscle contusion, and ruled out for Game 3.

He worked around the clock to get ready for Game 4, and is now a massive reason the Warriors have taken a 3-1 series lead ahead of Wednesday’s Game 5.

In the two full games Butler has played, he’s averaging 26.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.5 steals. He’s shot better than 50 percent from the field and made 16 of 18 free-throw attempts.

The fact his exchange with Brooks sparked a dominant second half only adds to the hype of Playoff Jimmy.

This is exactly why the Warriors traded for him and sit one win away from advancing to the second round.