Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka revealed that he told his team to ramp up its intensity during a 106-96 win over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday.

“When people start complaining about foul calls or crying about physicality, you’ve done your job,” Udoka said, per Anthony Slater and 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.”

After Draymond Green picked up a foul just before the halftime buzzer sounded on Sunday, Udoka and Warriors star Stephen Curry exchanged words as they left the floor.

Charged up end of the half between Warriors and Rockets. Included some Ime Udoka words toward Steph Curry as he left the court. Draymond Green had a technical and a tripping foul right before buzzer. Rockets just kept missing the free throws.

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 7, 2025

After the game, Warriors forward Jimmy Butler gave his thoughts regarding the Rockets’ defense on Curry.

“They did a good job of whatever you want to call it,” Butler said, via Slater and Amick.

“I’ve never seen an individual get fouled more than he gets fouled,” he added. “To me, it’s astounding. I don’t know how many years he has? Sixteen? I’m pretty sure it’s been happening for 16 straight years. It really angers me that he’s on my team and gets hacked like that.”

The Warriors and Rockets have faced each other five times this season, with Golden State winning three of the matchups.

Houston has already clinched a playoff spot, sitting at No. 2 in the Western Conference standings with a 52-27 record.

Meanwhile, the Warriors are attempting to secure their postseason positioning. They’re one of four teams in the West with identical 46-32 records and currently sit sixth the conference standings.

As the regular season winds down, playoff intensity appears to be rising for both teams, and Houston was eager to embrace it.