The National Basketball Association slapped Denver Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin with a $25,000 fine yesterday for knocking the Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki  to the ground during Game 1 of the second round of the playoffs. The “flagrant” foul puts one point in Martin’s playoff “account,” according to ESPN, which writes that Martin will be suspended if he surpasses three points.

Nuggets coach George Karl applauded Martin’s foul before the ruling, saying Martin’s play looked “good on film,” adding about Nowitzki , “I think we did a hell of a job of not fouling him.”

Game 2 is tonight, and as NBA.com reports, “the Mavericks know they can’t match the level of physical play” of a team that’s “younger and more athletic.”