Visits: 2
Houston Rockets guard James Harden and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors are both expected to be fit for Game 3 of their play-off series.
Harden has no cornea damage in his eyes, and the team expects him to have clear vision for Saturday’s game, ESPN reported on Wednesday.
Live NBA: Golden State @ Houston
Harden said he could barely see due to injuries to both eyes on Tuesday night, but the reigning MVP was never expected to miss time as the Rockets try to rebound from a 2-0 series deficit.
Before the first quarter of Game 2 was halfway over, Harden took a shot to the face from Warriors forward Draymond Green, whose left hand crashed into Harden while they fought for a missed shot.
Harden sustained contusions to both eyes and was cut on the inside of the left eyelid.
After an 11-minute absence, Harden returned but was clearly the worse for wear.
He had bloodshot eyes and was squinting and turning his head away from light several times during the game and the postgame press conference.
“I can barely see,” said Harden. “Just tried to go out there and do what I can to help my teammates.”
Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni said only something “catastrophic” would put Harden out of commission.
Harden still managed 29 points and notched four assists after returning from the locker room and receiving eyedrops to dull the pain.
“I’m sure he would have loved to play better,” said D’Antoni. “Under the circumstances, I thought he played great.”
On the other side, Warriors guard Stephen Curry scored 20 points in Golden State’s win despite a finger injury that required X-rays in the second quarter.
Like Harden, Curry said he would be ready for Game 3.
“It hurts, but it’s all right,” said Curry. “Didn’t break anything. Some higher power is looking out for me on that one.
“Just gotta deal with pain and hopefully, before Saturday, that goes away and will be fine.”
