The Golden State Warriors were unable to complete their fourth-quarter comeback as they slipped to a 99-89 defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies in game three of their playoff series.

League MVP Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson edged the visitors ahead early on, but the Grizzlies soon took control as Marc Gasol and Kosta Koufos edged them ahead before the end of the first quarter.

Gasol continued to add to the score before the break, putting Memphis 17 points up midway through the second period while the Warriors struggled with their shooting down the other end.

The Grizzlies still looked as though they were heading for a comfortable win as they went into the fourth quarter, leading by 19 with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Marreese Speights and Harrison Barnes started to chip away at the gap, though, while a three-pointer from Thompson left the Warriors just 10 down.

Draymond Green added a string of free throws before a Barnes layup got Golden State to within four points of Memphis, but Mike Conley found the basket three times in the final 40 seconds to put the win beyond doubt.

The win gives the Grizzlies a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference semi-final, ahead of game four at FedExForum on Monday.