The Rockets beat the Warriors 126-121 in overtime to trim their NBA Western Conference semifinal series deficit to 2-1.

Vision issues don’t stop Harden, Houston

HOUSTON — James Harden made a 3-pointer to finish off the Golden State Warriors in overtime.

Eric Gordon helped the Rockets get to that point with his best playoff performance.

Harden scored 41 points despite injuries to both eyes as Houston outlasted the Warriors 126-121 on Saturday to cut the Rockets’ deficit in the Western Conference semifinals to 2-1.

A layup by P.J. Tucker put Houston up by three with two minutes left, and the Warriors missed shots on their next two possessions. That set up the 3-pointer by Harden with 49 seconds to go that made it 124-118.

Kevin Durant made three free throws after that, but Harden added a layup to stretch the lead. Stephen Curry, who dislocated a finger in Game 2, missed a wide-open layup, and Harden grabbed the rebound.

Gordon added a playoff career-high 30 points with a playoff-best seven 3-pointers.

“It’s all about bringing something to the table, offensively, defensively every single night to give yourself a chance to win,” he said.

Durant said Gordon was “very important” to Houston’s win.

“He kept them afloat for a while,” he said.

The Rockets withstood a 46-point performance from Durant and late surge by the Warriors to avoid falling into a 3-0 hole in the best-of-seven series.

Game 4 is Monday in Houston. Harden led the team despite recovering from injuries to both eyes sustained in Game 2 when he was hit in the face by Draymond Green. He said they didn’t bother him Saturday, but both eyes remained bloody red in spots.

“That’s James,” Houston coach Mike D’Antoni said. “That’s what he does.

Eric Christian Smith The Associated Press Rockets guard James Harden, rear, and Warriors guard Stephen Curry vie for a firsthalf rebound Saturday in Houston’s 126-121 overtime win at the Toyota Center.