Thunder big man Kendrick Perkins suspended for head-butt

Oklahoma City center Kendrick Perkins was suspended one game without pay Saturday after head-butting New Orleans point guard Tyreke Evans in a loss Friday, the league announced.

The incident took place only 7:43 into the opening quarter of the Thunder`s 116-113 home loss to the Pelicans.

As a result of the punishment, Perkins will miss Sunday`s game when the Thunder play host to the Los Angeles Clippers and his former Boston coach, Doc Rivers.

Perkins averages 4.0 points and 5.6 rebounds in 49 appearances off the bench for Oklahoma City.

In his 12th NBA campaign, Perkins has career averages of 5.6 points and 6.0 rebounds.

He helped the Boston Celtics capture the 2008 NBA title before being traded to Oklahoma City in 2011 and helping the Thunder to the NBA Finals the following season, when they lost the 2012 crown to Miami.

The Thunder, who struggled with the early season absence of stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook due to injuries, are 25-25 and 10th in the Western Conference, three games behind Phoenix for the eighth and final playoff spot.