OKC's James Harden Cleared To Play In Playoffs

Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden has officially been cleared to play in the playoffs.

According to Thunder Head Coach Scott Brooks, Harden passed all NBA concussion tests and evaluations on Wednesday.

Harden was held out of Wednesday's final regular season game against the Denver Nuggets, for precautionary reasons, but now that he has the NBA's clearance, he will be available to play in the post season.

The 6'5 guard suffered a concussion in the second quarter of Sunday's game against the Lakers when L.A. forward Metta World Peace violently struck Harden in the head with his elbow after celebrating his dunk. World Peace was issued a flagrant foul two and ejected from the game.

On Tuesday, the league suspended Metta World Peace for seven games without pay for the flagrant foul.

05/24/12 Related Story: Metta World Peace Suspended Seven Games for Elbow

Since being hit in the head during the game, Harden was listed as day-to-day until Coach Brooks made the announcement of his clearance in a pre-game interview on Wednesday.