- Jun 24, 2007
- 823
- 10
ESPN is reporting that STAT will play tonight
Quote:
Stoudemire likely to start for Phoenix against winless Miami
Associated Press
MIAMI -- Phoenix center Amare Stoudemire's sore right knee is much better, and he will be available to play in Friday night's game against the winless Miami Heat.
Stoudemire said he felt no pain during the team's morning shootaround in Miami.
"I think he'll start. He should," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "It was just a matter of time. Now it's just getting our team together and getting a little bit better, so it's good to have him back."
Stoudemire, who had arthroscopic surgery on the knee last month to remove a loose particle, sat out Phoenix's previous three games. The Suns went 2-1 in those contests.
"I feel good. Felt great. Today's one of my better days," Stoudemire said after Friday's brief workout.
He had 23 points and 11 rebounds in Phoenix's season-opening win against Seattle, but was largely ineffective the next night in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, finishing with seven points on 2-for-10 shooting and one rebound in 24 minutes.
Stoudemire hasn't played since.
The two-time All-Star played in only three games of the 2005-06 season because of microfracture surgery on his left knee. He returned strongly last year, playing in all 82 regular-season games and averaging 20.4 points and a career-high 9.6 rebounds. Stoudemire also shot 57.5 percent last year, another career best.
Stoudemire had surgery on the right knee once previously, also to remove some debris.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press2007-2008 PHOENIX SUNS
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