Knee surgey ends season for Stoudamire

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PHOENIX, April 5 (UPI) -- Forward Amare Stoudemire of the Phoenix Suns will not play again this season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Wednesday.

The 6-foot-10 inch Stoudemire, who was the the ninth overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, had left-knee surgery in October and missed the first 66 games of the season.

In an abbreviated return, he had 20 points and nine rebounds in a 125-108 Suns' victory over Portland on March 23, but was injured again two nights later against Denver.

"Hopefully he will have a full recovery and his ailments will be put behind him so he can concentrate on the rest of his career," reigning NBA MVP and point guard Steve Nash said on the team's Web site. "That's the most important thing for his longevity."

Stoudemire, who was NBA Rookie of the Year in 2003, will be on crutches for the next 10 days.