The 'James Harden's Red Eyes' meme originated during the 2019 NBA Playoffs when Harden suffered an eye injury against the Golden State Warriors. Photos of his extremely bloodshot, crimson eyes quickly went viral, transcending sports culture to become a universal reaction image for exhaustion, being under the influence, or simply staring at a computer screen for too long. Internet users often pair the image with captions about staying up late, gaming marathons, or the physical toll of a stressful week. Its versatility stems from Harden's intense, slightly dazed expression, making it a go-to template for depicting any situation where someone looks visibly 'fried' or overwhelmed by their circumstances.