The Golden State Warriors needed a 39-point final period to edge the Ja Morant-less Memphis Grizzlies 101-98 on Monday night. The Grizzlies led for most of the way but fell short without their clutch star. 

Steph Curry led the way for Golden State in this one with 32 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists, as he became the first player in NBA history to score 500 playoff three pointers.

Memphis led most of the way in a low scoring first half but failed to pull away from the Warriors on what was an awful shooting night for both teams. (Field Goal%: 42%-40%. 3pt%: 26%-24%).  HT- 41-38 Grizzlies.

The visitors were 20-5 without Ja Morant this season and they looked to be on their way to another victory minus their star, increasing their lead to seven points heading into the 4 quarter thanks to a Desmond Bane treble to beat the 3 quarter buzzer. 

A pair of free throws from Jaren Jackson Jr put Memphis up by 12 early in the fourth quarter before the Warriors erupted. From that moment the home team outscored their opponents 37-22.

Curry scored 18 points in the quarter but when he levelled the scores at 90 with 3:25 to go, the Grizzlies still had the answer. However, Golden State lived at the line for the closing 1:11 and with 45.7 seconds remaining Curry gave the Warriors their first lead of the game and they didn’t look back. Steph scoring eight straight at the line, with Golden State scoring their final 12 points from the charity stripe.

Jackson Jr led the way for Memphis with 21 points, 2 steals and 5 blocks, with Tyus Jones adding 19/6/5. Wiggins scored 17 points and grabbed 10 boards, while Jordan Poole & Klay Thompson both had 14 points.

The series heads back to Memphis with the Warriors just one win away from the Western Conference finals. Game 5 is Wednesday @2:30am (GMT +1).

‍