Harden hopes to see things clearer
James Harden’s eyes were still red and stinging well after the final buzzer.
He could barely see on the court let alone read the box score after the game.
The reigning MVP hopes he will feel better with a few days off before the Rockets’ Western Conference semifinal series against Golden State resumes Saturday in Houston with his team trailing 2-0 following a 115-109 loss Tuesday night in Game 2.
Harden scored 29 points on nine-for-19 shooting to go with seven rebounds, four assists and six turnovers. Eye drops helped only so much to relieve the discomfort.
He injured his eyes with 6:39 left in the first quarter, grabbing at his face after he and Draymond Green fought for a loose rebound and Green’s left hand got Harden in the face.
“I can barely see. Just tried to go out there and do what I can to help my teammates,” Harden said. “It’s pretty blurry right now. Hopefully it gets better day by day.”
As good as he still was, Harden didn’t seem completely comfortable.
“He fought through some stuff. The guy looked like he was not in great shape the first half, I think it might have cleared up a little bit,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. “But he got raked pretty good in the eyes. But that’s him. I didn’t have a doubt he was coming back unless it was something catastrophic. I’m sure he would have loved to have played better. Under the circumstances, I thought he played great.”
Etc.
A person with knowledge of the process tells the Associated Press that the Minnesota Timberwolves will hire Rockets executive Gersson Rosas as president of basketball operations. Rosas had a three-month stint as general manager of the Dallas Mavericks in 2013, before resigning and returning to the Rockets. Rosas replaces Tom Thibodeau, who was fired at midseason from his dual role as president and coach . ... Indiana Pacers general manager Kevin Pritchard says guard Victor Oladipo continues progressing from a season-ending ruptured tendon in his right knee, but he set no timetable for his return to the court. Pritchard says he hopes to have more answers before free agency begins.