Celtics Center Kendrick Perkins Won’t Be Suspended

BOSTON — Boston's Kendrick Perkins will be eligible to play in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Orlando Magic.

The NBA said Thursday that one of the two technical fouls Perkins received in Game 5 was rescinded. That means Perkins hasn't hit the mark of seven technicals in the playoffs that would lead to an automatic suspension.

Perkins was called for the first technical when he elbowed Marcin Gortat in the stomach. Replays showed Perkins' arm merely slipped as he tried to help teammate Rajon Rondo up.

But it was the second technical that was rescinded by the league. Perkins got that one when he complained about a foul call in the second quarter.

The league said a foul committed by Paul Pierce in the fourth quarter was upgraded to a flagrant.