Harden drops 45 to help Rockets avoid elimination in Game 4

On the 40th anniversary of their last world championship, the Golden State Warriors couldn't book a ticket back to the NBA Finals on Monday.

James Harden scored 45 points as the Houston Rockets stayed alive in the Western Conference Finals with 128-115 home victory that cut the Warriors' series lead to 3-1.

Stephen Curry left the game in the second quarter after landing dangerously on his upper back when he went up and over Trevor Ariza. Curry was taken to the locker room and diagnosed with a head contusion. After passing concussion protocol, he returned in the third quarter.

In addition to Harden's big night, Josh Smith added 20 for Houston. The two teams combined for an NBA-playoff record 37 three-pointers.

Turning Point

The Rockets came out firing from the start, tying an NBA playoff record for first-quarter points with 45. They shot 77 percent from the field in the first frame, including a ridiculous 8-of-9 from three. Meanwhile, the Warriors started sloppily, going 1-of-9 on their first 10 shots as Houston opened up a 17-3 lead.

Curry's injury silenced the Toyota Center, as he stayed down for a few minutes before walking off on his own power. The Warriors actually outscored Houston 23-12 without Curry the rest of the first half, but Harden took over in the third.

Star Performer

Harden's 45 points were a playoff career high, and the NBA high-water mark for individual scoring this postseason. It included 7-of-11 shooting from deep, with some key shots that kept the Warriors at arm's length. Coming off a terrible 3-of-16 performance in Game 3, he shot almost 60 percent from the field on Monday and threw a little cold water on the Based God curse.

Highlight Reel

Smith started out the game en fuego, hitting three treys in the first quarter - one off his career high.

As the first half ended, Harden was oh-so-close to beating the buzzer with this near-full-court heave.

In the third quarter, Dwight Howard was called for a Flagrant-1 on Andrew Bogut thanks to this hard backhand. Howard may be hearing from the league on this Tuesday.

Series at a glance

Game 1: Warriors 110, Rockets 106 (Warriors lead 1-0)
Game 2: Warriors 99, Rockets 98 (Warriors lead 2-0)
Game 3: Warriors 115, Rockets 80 (Warriors lead 3-0)
Game 4: Rockets 128, Warriors 115 (Warriors lead 3-1)
Game 5: Wednesday, May 27, ESPN, 9 p.m. ET
Game 6*: Friday, May 29, ESPN, 9 p.m. ET
Game 7*: Sunday, May 31, ESPN, 9 p.m. ET