The NBA won't pusnish San Antonio Spurs guard Bruce Bowen for his actions in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinal series against the Phoenix Suns, ESPN reported Monday.

Bowen’s knee to the groin of Suns guard Steve Nash was upgraded to a Flagrant Foul 1, ESPN reported, but he won't face further punishment.

Bowen said he has apologized to Nash for hurting him, saying he was just trying to clear space, ESPN reported.

"I said to him, 'Now, Steve, you know I didn't try to knee you there,' and he said, 'Yeah, absolutely, Bruce,' and we gave each other five," Bowen said, the San Antonio Express-News reported.

Game 4 is Monday night.

The Spurs lead the best-of-seven series 2 games to 1.

Nash declined to comment on the incident, but earlier in the series, Suns center Amare Stoudemire called the Spurs a “dirty team” and accused Bowen of intentionally trying to hurt him.

“He kicked me purposely in the back of my Achilles’. I almost came down wrong and he almost caused an injury,” Stoudemire said last week. “He’s known for doing that. I just hope the NBA and the commissioner take a look at that because it’s definitely a dirty play.”

The Suns’ star didn’t stop there.

“I think the Spurs are a dirty team,” he said. “I mean, (Manu) Ginobili during the regular season kneed me in the crotch on purpose. I just hope the league takes a look at it and cleans the game up a little bit.”

The play that led to Stoudemire’s charges came in the third quarter of Phoenix’s 101-81 victory in Game 2 on Tuesday night, when he was going up for an open dunk. The victory evened the best-of-seven series 1-1.

Stoudemire said he didn’t know at the time if the kick was on purpose, but decided after viewing replays that it was.

NBA Finals: Celtics vs. Lakers Boston wins series 4-2 Green Machine! Celtics roll to 17th title Curran: Big Three sacrifice to win Big One Ventre: Lakers must improve defense   Slide show: Images from the NBA Finals Vote: Will Celtics repeat?  |  MVP? Jones: Not so fast on a Celtics-Lakers rematch Participate! Share your thoughts  |  Send photos Look at each Celtics title  |  How they were built

“When I saw the replay and reviewed it three or four times, there was no doubt about it,” he said. “It was a purpose kick to the Achilles’ and he definitely tried to injure me.”

Stoudemire’s feelings were heightened by the fact that he missed all but three games last season while recovering from two knee surgeries.

Special feature A look back at Spurs' win over Cavs

“I was actually very, very, very upset,” he said. “Me personally from last year, having to sit out the whole season because of injuries. And for a guy like Bruce Bowen, who is a two-time champion, he should have more class than that, should understand what it takes to be a professional.”

A video on YouTube appears to show Bowen, an NBA all-defensive team selection, kicking Stoudemire’s leg from behind.

Stoudemire said he didn’t react at the time because he didn’t want a suspension or a technical foul that would hurt his team.

Slide show   Week in Sports Pictures Boys of summer, heavenly Iraqi bodies, acrobat cowboys, and more more photos

“I know it’s the playoffs. I understand a hard foul,” Stoudemire said. “But that wasn’t a hard foul at all. That was just a purpose kick trying to injure someone.”

No foul was called on the play.

MORE FROM NBA

NBA Section Front

Will LeBron be a Knick, Net or remain a Cav? Report: Oklahoma City's nickname? Thunder Mark Cuban reportedly among Cubs bidders Jazz sign guard Williams to 3-year extension NBA rumors: Arenas uses blog to trash Milwaukee Special feature: NBA top free agents Latest NBA videos Rotoworld: Latest player news, rumors and more SCORES, STATS, STANDINGS, SCHEDULES   Sound off on NBA discussion boards NBA Section Front   Add NBA headlines to your news reader: