Rockets optimistic James Harden will be fine for Game 3

Houston Rockets guard James Harden was impacted during Tuesday night’s game after being hit in the eye by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green.

It happened early in Game 2. Harden exited the game for the locker room and didn’t return until the second quarter.

Throughout the remainder of the game, Harden could be be seen struggling with his sight. The likely NBA MVP was still able to drop 29 points in the loss.

Now down 0-2 in the series heading back home for Game 3 Saturday night, the Rockets are optimistic that Harden will be just fine.

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

Pretty much in must-win mode against the two-time defending champs, Houston is going to need Harden at 100 percent in order to avoid falling into a 3-0 series hole.

Harden is shooting just 38% from the field thus far in this series. That includes a 30% mark from distance. If his vision is impacted at all, it could have major ramifications for the Rockets moving forward.