Stoudemire could be sidelined awhile

The Suns are coming off Monday’s disastrous 110-72 loss to the New Jersey Nets to start the five-game swing and Stoudemire, who made his season-debut last week, played just over 14 minutes and did not score.

The Arizona Republic reported Tuesday that Stoudemire will sit out Tuesday and might also miss games Thursday at Indiana, Friday at Toronto and Sunday in Detroit. He complained of soreness in his knees following Monday’s game.

Stoudemire missed the first 66 games of the season due a left knee injury that required surgery on October 11, 2005 to repair a joint surface defect. He returned to the lineup last Thursday against Portland and posted 20 points with nine rebounds in a 125-108 victory.

After playing 19 minutes against the Trail Blazers, Stoudemire managed just six points in 16 minutes on Saturday against Denver and missed each of his six shots in limited action Monday.

The 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year is coming off a stellar season that saw him lead Phoenix to the league’s best regular-season record (62-20). The 23-year- old averaged 26 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, while also ranking second in the NBA in field goal percentage (.559) and first in free throw attempts (795).

Stoudemire was even better during the playoffs, but his team ultimately lost in five games during the Western Conference finals to San Antonio.

The 6-foot-10 Stoudemire was the first player to enter the NBA directly from high school and win its top rookie honor. The ninth overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, Stoudemire entered this season averaging 19.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 217 career games with the Suns.

Stoudemire, a 2004-05 All-Star, agreed to a contract extension prior to this season that will keep him with the team through the 2010-11 season.