Basketball goggles uncommon despite dangers

Houston Rockets basketball player James Harden was injured in both eyes during game two of his team’s playoff series against the Golden State Warriors.

While contesting a rebound, opposing player Draymond Green’s left hand inadvertently hit Harden in the face, leaving the Rockets shooting guard with contusions in both eyes and a laceration on the inside of his left eyelid.

While eye issues are relatively common in basketball, few current NBA players wear protective goggles. Last season Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics wore a pair for several games after sleeping in contact lenses and suffering an eye infection. Legendary former player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wore goggles for much of his professional career after suffering a scratched cornea.