Vicious, viral dunk ignites heavyweight NBA clash but big man has last laugh as champions level series

Isaiah Hartenstein was put on a poster in a spectacular play that will grace NBA highlight reels for years to come (watch the video in the player above).

And while he'll never be able to erase memories of Stephon Castle's vicious, viral first half dunk, the Oklahoma City Thunder centre had the last laugh.

Hartenstein, literally played off the court by Victor Wembanyama in game one, dusted himself off as the defending NBA champions won game two of what is living up to the hype as a thrilling Western Conference finals.

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Hartenstein contributed 10 points and 13 rebounds in the Thunder's 122-113 victory, squaring the series at 1-1.

They aren't eye-popping numbers but the 28-year-old's fighting spirit helped somewhat restrict the impact of San Antonio Spurs superstar Wembanyama - who was otherworldly in game one.

"If you're not old enough, go and have a look at Hagler v Hearns," Mike Tirico said on NBC, referencing the legendary middleweight fight in 1985.

"That's what this is. Trading punches."

The final score doesn't reflect how tight the contest was, but two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander responded from a shaky game one to pace the Thunder in the frantic final minutes.

The Canadian led all scorers with 30 points and dished nine assists as the physical, high-paced action took its toll on both squads.

Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams and boom Spurs rookie Dylan Harper both failed to finish the game with hamstring injuries.

Spurs All-Star De'Aaron Fox is yet to play in the series because of an ankle issue.

Game three is in San Antonio on Saturday (AEST).

Alex Caruso added 17 off the bench, Chet Holmgren scored 13 points and reserves Jared McCain and Cason Wallace each had 12 for Oklahoma City.

The Thunder finished with a 57-25 edge in bench scoring, plus a 27-10 edge in points off turnovers.

Castle scored 25 points for the Spurs, who got 22 points from Devin Vassell and a 21-point, 17 rebound, six assist, four block night from Wembanyama.

"The guys brought it tonight. Knowing what it would have meant if we lost this one, we brought the energy from the jump," Gilgeous-Alexander said.

The Thunder improved to 14-5 after a loss this season - and beat the Spurs for just the second time in seven meetings.

San Antonio was down by 11 at halftime and trailed by eight going into the fourth quarter, then got within 99-97 off a corner three by Harrison Barnes.

An 11-0 run by the champions - including a banked-in three by McCain midway through the burst - pushed OKC's lead to 13.

But the Spurs were far from done.

Wembanyama scored down low to make it 118-113 with 85 seconds remaining but Gilgeous-Alexander got one last basket to settle things down and send the series to San Antonio tied. - with AP