Newsmakers

Outspoken Denver Nuggets coach George Karl calls the NBA’s $25,000 fine given to Kenyon Martin “way out of line and crazy.” Martin was penalized Monday, a day after knocking Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki to the court in Denver’s second-round, series-opening win. “I’m going to repeat, I think it’s wrong and Kenyon didn’t deserve a $25,000 fine,” Karl said Tuesday. Karl said he watched replays of the foul 10 times, coming away even more perplexed by the fine. “I saw some hits in Chicago-Boston, some hits in Atlanta-Miami – this is not on top of the list from my observation.”

Acquired Veteran quarterback Ryan Porter will get his second chance to play his first game for the Tri-Cities Fever. New Fever coach Pat O’Hara acquired the veteran quarterback from the Central Valley Coyotes in return for veteran wide receiver Phil Goodman. The Fever released Porter before the first game last season.

Died Super bantamweight boxer Benjamin Flores, 25, has died at Parkland Hospital in Dallas five days after he was hospitalized following a title bout with Al Seeger in a Dallas hotel.

Settled Former major league baseball player Roberto Alomar and his ex-girlfriend Ilya Dall have apparently settled her explosive lawsuit alleging he made her have unprotected sex even though he had AIDS. Her allegations were never corroborated.

Hired The Cincinnati Bearcats have hired Connecticut assistant Jamelle Elliott as the new women’s basketball coach.