Rockets' Harden to play in Game 3 against Warriors despite eye injury

WASHINGTON - Houston Rockets guard James Harden will play the Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinal series against the Warriors on Saturday according to ESPN despite lacerating his left eyelid and suffering contusions in both eyes in Game 2.

The reigning MVP was accidentally smacked by Golden State forward Draymond Green in the first quarter. He left the game temporarily in the first half, and eventually returned to score a team-high 29 points on 9-for-19 shooting. However, the Houston still fell to the Warriors 115-109 and is now down 0-2 in the best-of-seven series.

Harden went to an eye doctor as soon as the Rockets came back to Houston and received the good news of no damage to either of his corneas.

"(The doctor) gave me some stuff to calm me down, make it better," Harden said. "It's going to take some time."

The seven-time all-star told reporters that his vision has improved. Though he is still in pain and struggling with vision in bright lights, the irritation is going to heal in the coming days.

"I can see better," Harden said. "It is still here. It's still tough, especially in bright lights. But I can see y'all a little bit better. That's all that matters."

Asked if he would be good to go for Game 3, Harden asked, "I mean if I could play barely seeing last game, what makes you think I would sit out Game 3?"

Game 3 will be a tough one for the Rockets as the team cannot suffer another loss to the Warriors.