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.
His winning return came hours after a person with knowledge of the award told The Associated Press that Curry would repeat as NBA MVP, with the announcement coming as early as Tuesday.
The Warriors can win the series Wednesday night at home in Game 5.
Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut, top, and Portland Trail Blazers guard Gerald Henderson, bottom, dive for a loose ball during the first half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Monday, May 9, 2016, in Portland, Ore.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, right, dunks over Portland Trail Blazers forward Al-Farouq Aminu, left, and C.J. McCollum, center, during the first half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Monday, May 9, 2016, in Portland, Ore.
Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors drive to the basket on Al-Farouq Aminu #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter of Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center on May 9, 2016 in Portland, Oregon.
Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless, center, has a shot blocked by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, left, and center Andrew Bogut, right, during the second half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Monday, May 9, 2016, in Portland, Ore.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, right, shoots over Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum, left, during the first half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Monday, May 9, 2016, in Portland, Ore.
Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors confronts referee Ed Malloy #14 during the first quarter of Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center on May 9, 2016 in Portland, Oregon.
Maurice Harkless #4 of the Portland Trail Blazers defends Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter of Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center on May 9, 2016 in Portland, Oregon.
Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors confronts referee Ed Malloy #14 during the first quarter of Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center on May 9, 2016 in Portland, Oregon.
Shaun Livingston #34 of the Golden State Warriors has some words with head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter of Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center on May 9, 2016 in Portland, Oregon.
Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts as he heads up court after hitting a shot during the first quarter of Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Golden State Warriors during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center on May 9, 2016 in Portland, Oregon.
Andrew Bogut #12 of the Golden State Warriors blocks the shot of Al-Farouq Aminu #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter of Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center on May 9, 2016 in Portland, Oregon.
Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors is called for a foul as he tries to steal the ball from Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter of Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center on May 9, 2016 in Portland, Oregon.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, center, shoots over Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum, left, and Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee, right, during the second half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Monday, May 9, 2016, in Portland, Ore.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry passes the ball in traffic as Portland Trail Blazers center Ed Davis defends during the first half of Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals game at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, on May 9, 2016.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry warms up before Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon on May 9, 2016.
Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors warms up before Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center on May 9, 2016 in Portland, Oregon.
Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors warms up before Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals during the 2016 NBA playoffs at the Moda Center on May 9, 2016 in Portland, Oregon.
Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors warms up before Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals during the 2016 NBA playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center on May 9, 2016 in Portland, Oregon.
Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors warms up before Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals during the 2016 NBA playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center on May 9, 2016 in Portland, Oregon.
..... - Newsday