Report: James Harden eyes will be good to go for Game 3

James Harden lacerated his left eyelid and suffered contusions in both eyes after being accidentally smacked in the face by Warriors forward Draymond Green during the Houston Rockets’ Game 2 loss on Tuesday night.

Though he eventually returned to the game and scored a team-high 29 points, Harden told reporters after that he could “barely see” and said was just hoping that it “gets better day by day.”

The injury occurred in the first quarter of Game 2, and throughout the rest of his playing time, Harden could be seen squinting and wincing. When he was on the sideline, he was icing his left eye.

It appears that Rockets fans can breathe a side of relief: The team is optimistic he won’t have issues with vision in Game 3 and beyond, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.

James Harden went straight to an eye doctor after Rockets’ plane landed in Houston this afternoon. Team is optimistic he won’t have issues with vision in Game 3 and beyond. His left eye, where he has a contusion and cut inside eyelid, especially bothered him in Game 2.

James Harden went straight to an eye doctor after Rockets’ plane landed in Houston this afternoon. Team is optimistic he won’t have issues with vision in Game 3 and beyond. His left eye, where he has a contusion and cut inside eyelid, especially bothered him in Game 2.

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) May 1, 2019

Harden played fantastically when he did eventually come back in Game 2 from the locker room, shooting nine-of-19 including three-of-seven from 3-point range. But it wasn’t enough.

Harden has to be on top of his game for Game 3, as does the rest of the team. It’s a must win, as coming back from a 3-0 deficit against the Warriors feels impossible.

Game 3 is Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.