James Harden escaped a swipe to the face from Draymond Green in Game 2 of the Rockets-Warriors Western Conference Semifinals series without damage to his cornea, but Harden’s eyes were still frighteningly red on Saturday when he took the floor at home. James Harden eye update pic.twitter.com/8oReO2TshU — Steve Noah (@Steve_OS) May 5, 2019 In the first quarter of Game 3, Green appeared to catch Harden with an errant finger to the eye area. Green was nowhere close to making a play on the ball as Harden drove past him. Harden might want to consider wearing goggles at this point. Draymond catches Harden in the eye again pic.twitter.com/PlhHneJvnB — Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 5, 2019 Some fans were calling for Green to be punished by the league for targeting Harden. Draymond Green should be suspended. If he isn’t tripping players, he’s kicking players, and if he isn’t kicking players he’s scratching them in the eye. Disgusting. https://t.co/sjTfBYf2Kp — William (@SpecificNY) May 5, 2019 Draymond Green clawing at James Harden's face AGAIN. Dude is allowed to get away with anything and it's ridiculous. — The Dream Shake (@DreamShakeSBN) May 5, 2019 Draymond when he first sees Harden pic.twitter.com/gAQZnUH90O — Abdul Memon (@abdulamemon) May 5, 2019<doc-sep>James Harden’s eyes have seen better days. In Game 2 of the Rockets-Warriors Western Conference Semifinals series, Draymond Green accidentally poked The Beard in the first quarter, and it would be some time before Harden could return to the game to play. Harden finished the game with has a lacerated left eyelid and both eyes are extremely bloodshot — but he said he would be good to go and expected his vision and the pain to get better. The reigning MVP obviously started Game 3 on Saturday night. Both eyes are without damage to his cornea, but they were both very red and irritated looking when he took the floor at home in Houston. James Harden warming up… 😳 How many points will the Beard drop in Game 3? (via @espn) pic.twitter.com/JUu1vYAgtd — SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 5, 2019 James Harden eye update pic.twitter.com/8oReO2TshU — Steve Noah (@Steve_OS) May 5, 2019 But unfortunately, Harden’s eyes fell victim to Green’s hands yet again in the first quarter when Harden was moving to drive to the basket. But Green was not the primary defender on Harden, and it doesn’t really make sense why his hands ended up poking Harden’s eyes yet again. Draymond catches Harden in the eye again pic.twitter.com/PlhHneJvnB — Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 5, 2019<doc-sep>It’s now 2-for-2 for Golden State Warriors power forward Draymond Green when it comes to Houston Rockets superstar James Harden’s eyes. Early in their Game 3 matchup at the Toyota Center, Green appeared to accidentally poke Harden’s eye again. Draymond eye poke on James Harden again _ replay #rockets #DubNation pic.twitter.com/Vao5RjZdu2 — Sports Gifs & Videos (@Supreme_Gifs) May 5, 2019 Game 2 saw Harden with a bloodshot eye no thanks to — you guessed it — Green’s finger. Already infamous for his flailing kicks, the Warriors big man seems to be developing another poor reputation. It’s not just Harden who received the bitter end of Green’s pokes as, over the past year, J.J. Redick and LeBron James both sustained bloody eyes after their encounter with Green. Draymond Green poked 3 different players in the eye over the past year. 😳 Credit: u/theToBeHonestGuy pic.twitter.com/1VGhfpFf5U — Rockets Nation (@RocketsNationCP) May 1, 2019 Green is revered as one of the best defenders in the NBA and he doesn’t need any of these antics to gain an advantage over his man. Then again, one can say that all these are purely coincidental and chalk them up to his activity on that end of the floor. In Game 2, Harden’s eye ended up looking nowhere near how it’s supposed to be. But that didn’t stop him from registering 29 points, seven rebounds, and four assists on 9-of-19 shooting from the field, albeit on a losing effort. Bloodied eye or blurry vision, though, won’t stop the reigning MVP from doing what he does best. But Harden alone won’t be enough if the Rockets wish to stop this Warriors juggernaut.<doc-sep>
After swiping Rockets guard James Harden in both eyes in Game 2, Draymond Green appeared to poke Harden in the eye again in Game 3. In Game 2, James Harden got poked in both of his eyes by Draymond Green. It was accidental, but the injury cost The Beard an entire quarter of play. Green’s contact with Harden also caused a contusion in both eyes and a laceration on Harden’s left eye lid. For the remainder of the game, Harden was obviously in some sort of pain, and he often shielded himself from the bright, flashing lights in Oracle Arena. After Game 2, Harden told reporters that he could barely see, but he left no doubt that he would be on the floor in Game 3. Over the long three game break between Game 2 and Game 3, Harden’s vision cleared, but his eyes were still bloodshot red, especially his left eye. https://twitter.com/SLAMonline/status/1124832962095321089 Harden’s eye looked rough, but he was good to go nonetheless. About five minutes into the game, Draymond Green appeared to poke Harden in the eye once again, this time in his right eye. https://twitter.com/ComplexSports/status/1124843195140014080 After the play, Harden was visibly frustrated with Green, and the two exchanged words. Green could be seen on television telling Harden, “that’s basketball.” Yes, accidents happen in any physical sport, but we’ve seen too many dirty plays and eye poking from Green over the years, as Basketball Forever was quick to point out. Draymond Green’s taken out a lot of eyes this year… pic.twitter.com/2cNRg08nFs — Basketball Forever (@Bballforeverfb) May 1, 2019 Fortunately, Green’s antics didn’t stop Harden and the Rockets in Game 3 on Saturday night. The Rockets won the game 126-121 in overtime, led by James Harden’s 41 points. Eric Gordon also added 30 points on 7 made 3-pointers. The Rockets now have life after winning Game 3 at home. However, Game 4 is also a must-win game, as the Rockets can’t afford to travel back to Oracle Arena for Game 5 down 3-1. Houston will need another big performance from James Harden on Monday.