Steph Curry returned from a sprained right knee to score an NBA-record 17 points in overtime, finishing with 40 as the Warriors rallied to take a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinals with a 132-125 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night.

Playing for the first time since he was injured in Game 4 of the first-round series against Houston, Curry was rusty for three quarters and sensational down the stretch after the Warriors trailed by as much as 16 points.

Originally expected to play about 25 minutes off the bench, Curry picked up a heavier workload in the second half after Shaun Livingston, who had been starting in his absence, was ejected in the second quarter after arguing a call and picking up two technical fouls.

Damian Lillard finished with 36 points and 10 assists for Portland.

The Warriors can win the series Wednesday night at home in Game 5.

>>Curry Named MVP For 2nd Straight Year

For the second straight year, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry will win the NBA's Most Valuable Player award, according to ESPN's Marc Stein. Curry led the Warriors to an NBA record 73-win season and amazingly elevated his game from last season by averaging more points (league-leading 30.1 ppg), rebounds, steals while shooting better from the field and from 3-point range.

Overall, Curry averaged 30.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 2.1 steals in 34.2 minutes a game. He also racked up plenty of accolades.

Curry also broke the 3-point record he set last season, by draining 402 3-pointers, smashing his previous mark by 116. He also tied the NBA' single-game record for 3s, making 12 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Feb. 27. He also joined the elite 50/40/90 club by shooting 50 percent, 45 percent from 3 and 91 percent from the free-throw line.

Curry is only the 13th player in NBA history to win back-to-back MVPs. Since 2000, the only players to do so are LeBron James, Steve Nash and Tim Duncan.