PHOENIX — Amare 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, had eye surgery Friday and won't be able to resume physical activity for about eight weeks.
"We're going to be ultraconservative with this and if it 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.
"He was really discouraged," Kerr said. "He was really starting to play well. He was feeling good about things. Our team obviously is feeling very good about things, just about the way the last couple of games have gone, and this is a major blow."
Stoudemire was injured during his 42-point performance in Phoenix's 142-119 victory over the Clippers in Los Angeles on Wednesday night. The Suns didn't find out about the need for surgery until after Thursday's trade deadline.
Stoudemire's backup used to be Boris Diaw, but he was traded to Charlotte along with Raja Bell in the deal that brought Jason Richardson to Phoenix.
"We've still got a lot of good players and if we come together and have a good spirit and are competitive, I think we'll win a lot of games."
Owner Robert Sarver also chose not to deal Shaquille O'Neal, like Stoudemire a high-priced player with a year left on his contract, in order to make a run at the postseason. The Suns entered Friday night's play a game behind Utah for the eighth and final playoff berth in the West.
Stoudemire is one of two Suns who started all 53 games this season — Grant Hill is the other. Stoudemire is the Suns' leading scorer for the third consecutive year, averaging 21.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.
GARNETT HEADED BACK TO BOSTON: Celtics forward Kevin Garnett is heading back to Boston to be checked out by the team doctor after injuring his right knee against the Utah Jazz. Celtics spokesman Jeff Twiss said Garnett was traveling Friday, and his right knee strain was expected to be examined by Dr. Brian McKeon on Saturday. Garnett injured his knee while going up for an alley-oop late in the first half of Boston's 90-85 loss. He landed gingerly and motioned immediately to the bench for a substitute, then hopped on his good foot toward the locker room. Twiss said Garnett was "not in tremendous pain" on Friday, but that the knee remained sore and stiff and the Celtics thought it best to be cautious and have Garnett examined.
ROCKETS GLAD TO LAND LOWRY: The Houston Rockets wanted to draft guard Kyle Lowry in 2006 but couldn't swing a deal to get him. Nearly three years later they pulled it off, and Lowry's glad they did. "They're excited to have us and we're definitely excited to be here," he said Friday, the day after the Rockets acquired Lowry from Memphis and forward Brian Cook from Orlando in a three-team deal that sent veteran point guard Rafer Alston to the Magic. "I'm loving it and I'm happy," said Lowry who played 15 minutes in Houston's win Friday over Dallas.DUNLEAVY OUT INDEFINITELY: The Indiana Pacers say guard Mike Dunleavy will be out indefinitely with a sore right knee. The team says it told Dunleavy on Friday to get other medical options, after which a treatment decision will be made. Dunleavy missed the first 34 games of the season because of problems with the knee. The Pacers also are without All-Star forward Danny Granger, who might miss up to three weeks with a foot injury.