'I barely could see': James Harden bloodied in nasty eye poke against Warriors

Houston Rockets star James Harden was bleeding from the eye after he received a nasty poke during the Warriors’ 115-109 win claiming he could barely see after the game.

Warriors will take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semi-final after Durant scored 29 points in a strong performance for the two-time defending champions.

But Harden received heavy treatment, as he got hit in both eyes early.

”I barely could see,” said Harden, who was treated with eye drops.

Boos regularly greeted both Harden and Chris Paul at deafening Oracle Arena, where the Rockets complained after a 104-100 Game 1 defeat that the officials missed foul calls when the Warriors closed out on Houston’s 3-point shooters.

Paul celebrated and cheered when Harden drew a foul on Durant in the closing seconds of the third on a very such play. Harden converted three free throws to pull Houston within 82-75 going into the final 12 minutes.

Harden scored seven straight Houston points during one stretch midway through the fourth, including a 3 at 7:25 that go the Rockets within 92-89. Stephen Curry connected for a key 3 at the 6:31 mark on the way to 20 points.

Harden’s eyes were still red and bothering him postgame.

”It’s pretty blurry right now. Hopefully it gets better day by day,” Harden said.

Durant leads the way

Durant set a tone when took an early charge from Harden and blocked one of his shots as Houston committed five quick turnovers that led to 10 points. Andre Iguodala, who also handled much of the load defending Harden, added 16 points, five rebounds and four assists.

Curry dislocated his left middle finger in the first quarter but X-rays were negative and he returned with it taped.

Curry missed his first four 3-point tries before hitting late in the first and played in foul trouble once more. He picked up his fourth with 6:43 in the third on a reach in, something he’s been working to stop doing.

Harden injured his eyes with 6:39 left in the first, grabbing at his face after he and Green fought for a loose rebound and Green’s left hand got Harden in the face.

When Harden went to the locker room with 6:27 left and a towel over his left eye for a cut, Green patted him on the back and checked to make sure he was OK. Harden returned at the 7:09 mark of the second.

”That’s him. I didn’t have a doubt he was coming back unless it was something catastrophic,” coach Mike D’Antoni said.

Both teams were more composed when it came to mouthing off at the referees.

With Yahoo Sport US – The Associated Press