Dwight Howard’s latest technical foul has been upheld by the NBA after a review, leaving Orlando’s All-Star center one away from another suspension.

Howard was called for his league-leading 17th technical Monday with 1:17 left in the Magic’s 113-106 loss to the Knicks at the Garden. After fouling out while going for an offensive rebound, Howard tossed the ball into the backcourt.

Orlando players said that usually would warrant a delay of game warning, and Howard said he would try to get it rescinded, but an NBA spokesman said yesterday the appeal was denied.

Howard already served a one-game suspension once he accumulated his 16th tech. Players are then suspended another game for every other technical received after that.