NBA veteran cops low blow

Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki was left dumbfounded after being slammed in the crotch by Warriors rival Shaun Livingston during their recent NBA clash.

The pair matched up against each other late in the third quarter last weekend with veteran Nowitzki looking to work Livingston just outside the paint.

Using his body to shield the ball from his smaller rival, the Dallas star suddenly doubles over and grabs his crotch with the referee immediately stopping play and calling Livingston for the foul.

Slow motion replays of the incident indeed show Livingston committing the low blow, swinging his right arm between the legs of Nowitzki and connecting with his torso.

After the 123-110 win to the Warriors, Nowitzki said he would give Livingston the "benefit of the doubt" but Dallas owner Mark Cuban wasn't so quick to forgive and forget.

“Look, it was no confrontation,” Cuban told reporters after facing both Livingston and Warriors coach Steve Kerr. “Don’t make it seem like one."

"It was just a friendly conversation, and I was curious because it’s just wrong. It’s just wrong.

“It’s not like I’m mad, right? They’re a good organisation, and I would think that’s just not the way you do things.”