There is always something thrilling about classic matchups. Take the Boston Celtics vs. the Golden State Warriors, for example. Because every time Stephen Curry puts on a pair of those purple sneakers, you know it’s game mode. “Proud daddy of the Boston Celtics,” indeed, indeed. But that stance and the 2022 NBA Finals did trigger something in Ime Udoka, who then was the head coach of the Celtics.
Cut to the 2024-25 NBA season, and the 47-year-old is coaching the Houston Rockets. And guess whom they’re facing in the Playoffs? Yes, the Warriors. And right before the action takes off, ESPN analysts Brian Windhorst and Mike C. Wright have some words of caution.
Ime Udoka’s past could come back to bite Stephen Curry in the Playoffs
In Game 4 of the 2022 Finals, Steph Curry dropped a scorching 43 points, nailing 7 threes and grabbing 10 rebounds. With 41 minutes of brilliance, he silenced Boston and tied the series 2-2. In the upcoming two games, the Dubs took their wins over Ime Udoka‘s Boston, thus securing the 4th ring in 8 years. Mike Wright shared the story and his observation from that day on the Hoop Collective podcast.
He said, “I believe the Celtics were up by one in that series and had some momentum because they up to that point, Jayson Tatum hadn’t played a Jayson Tatum game. So you’re thinking, okay. If they have a chance to win this game and go back to San Francisco up three to one, they’ve got the series.” But then Curry had his 43-point game. There was a point at TD Garden that day when the players walked past each other. Wright says that there was an air of confidence around the Dubs, and for the C’s, they knew that the next two games would be nightmares.
“At that point, they sort of knew. I’m talking about the Celtics, or at least Ime and the coaching staff sort of knew. The Golden State Warriors think they have this thing. He said the way that they were talking to him and stuff. And I promise you, Ime Udoka has not forgotten about any of that stuff,” Mike Wright added. Well, the Rockets’ head coach is most likely to continue with his revenge arc vs. the Warriors in the playoffs, too. He did it days ago when Houston pinned down the Dubs in a 109-96 win. Halftime banter stole the spotlight while Steph battled through a limited 3-point game.
Dec 8, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka calls out in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
“When people start complaining about foul calls or crying about physicality, you’ve done your job,” Udoka told Sam Amick of The Athletic. “That’s the first step in winning the battle. So I told my team, when this team starts crying about it, up the intensity, up the aggressiveness, and make the refs adjust to you.” Simply put, Ime Udoka, with his wolf-like glare, will not forget the past, and he won’t let the Warriors forget anything either.
And while Stephen Curry and Co. shift their focus to the Playoffs, where they are about to face Udoka again, there’s someone Jimmy Butler needs to watch out for.
Jimmy Butler receives caution about one Rockets star
Since Jimmy Butler arrived in the Bay, things have changed drastically. The Warriors secured a 25-11 record after Jimmy came, and that is nothing but the hope they’ve been looking for. However, Ime Udoka isn’t someone you mess with, he knows that the stakes are high. Therefore, he will put together the best tag team to resist the forces. And this time, the defenders must stop more than just Curry. Mr. Playoffs will be on the floor. And do we need to remind you about him?
“I’m guessing they’re gonna throw Dillon Brooks on Jimmy Butler. And, like, Jimmy’s probably gonna win most of those matchups. But are you telling me that Dillon Brooks is not gonna get up under that man’s skin at some point in the series? I can almost guarantee you that that’s gonna happen,” the ESPN analyst added.
Mar 25, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) drives to the basket past Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) during the first quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
He remarked: “This is gonna be a very chippy series and fun to watch, but, you know, you you mentioned Steph in Houston. For whatever reason, man, Steph turns it on when he plays in Houston. He sure and they’re very well aware of that. And so that’s gonna be a problem.”
So now, it’s war. Old ghosts, fresh grudges, and playoff chaos are waiting to explode. Ime Udoka’s hunting revenge, Curry’s back on enemy turf, and Jimmy? He’s got Dillon Brooks breathing down his neck. The energy’s wild, and the drama’s real. And this time, it’s personal—every step of the way.
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