PHOENIX — Amar’e Stoudemire could be finished for the season just days after the Phoenix Suns decided not to trade him.
Stoudemire, a starter for the West in Sunday’s All-Star Game, underwent eye surgery today and won’t be able to resume physical activity for about eight weeks, the Suns said in a news release.
“We’re going to be ultraconservative with this and if means he misses the remainder of the season, so be it,” Suns general manager Steve Kerr said. “He’s got a long career and a long life ahead of him. And that’s the most important thing.”
The NBA playoffs begin eight weeks from Saturday, and it’s no sure thing the Suns will even be in the postseason, especially with their all-star power forward unavailable for the final 29 games of the regular season.
Stoudemire was injured during his 42-point performance in Phoenix’s 142-119 victory over the Clippers in Los Angeles on Wednesday night.
“Obviously, it’s very disappointing to lose him at this time,” Kerr said, “but Amar’e’s health and the health of all our players are our No. 1 concern.”
Pravin Dugel, who performed the surgery to repair a partially detached retina in Stoudemire’s right eye, said the eight-week recovery period is an average and the time varies case by case.
Last week, the Suns entertained offers from other teams for Stoudemire but decided against the move after firing coach Terry Porter on Sunday and replacing him with Alvin Gentry. Gentry returned Phoenix to the high-speed game of Mike D’Antoni, a system that suits Stoudemire best.
The Suns entered tonight’s play a game behind Utah for the eighth and final playoff berth in the West.
Kerr said Stoudemire’s long-term prognosis is excellent, and he should have 100 percent recovery of his vision.
Stoudemire, who started all 53 games this season, is the Suns’ leading scorer for the third consecutive year, averaging 21.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.
