Before an MRI exam later in the day revealed that Spencer Hawes suffered a strained left knee, not a serious or career-threatening injury, an angry Joe Maloof demanded an apology from Kenyon Martin, the Denver Nuggets forward who knocked the Kings center to the flooe during a fast-break sequence in Monday's game at the Pepsi Center.

Martin -- known for his bruising, combative style -- shoved Hawes near the right armpit as the 7-foot-1 center was in the air, preparing to throw down a right-handed dunk. He converted two free throws and then was escorted to the visitors locker room.

On the advice of Dr. Steve Traina, the Nuggets team physician who examined him, he flew back to Sacramento early Tuesday for the imaging test at UC Davis. The Kings began exhaling audibly in midafternoon, when they were informed of the encouraging results.

"That was thuggery," said Maloof, the Kings' co-owner, "and you can quote me on that. Kenyon Martin wasn't trying to block the shot. He went right at Spencer when he was running full speed and at the (height) of his jump, when he was most vulnerable.

"Completely unnecessary. The Nuggets might not want to hear this, but there was no excuse for that, and he (Martin) needs to apologize to Spencer and our organization. That just wasn't right." The incident occurred in the first quarter of a game eventually won by the Nuggets, who were trailing at the time and being exploited by a series of Kings fast breaks. After being knocked to the floor, Hawes remained on the baseline for several minutes, grimacing, clutching his left knee, and speaking with Kings trainer Pete Youngman.

Asked about the transgression, Martin shook his head, countering that his actions warranted a foul, not a flagrant. But Hawes left no doubt about his own interpretation.