Report: Suns F Stoudemire has torn iris

Oct 3, 2008 - 11:53 PM PHOENIX (Ticker) -- Phoenix Suns forward Amare Stoudemire missed practice for the second consecutive day after suffering a torn iris, according to a published report Friday.

The Arizona Republic reported that the three-time All-Star was poked in the right eye by teammate Boris Diaw during a scrimmage on Wednesday. The newspaper said Stoudemire will wear goggles when he resumes practice and may wear them for the entire season.

"It's going to be important that he gets back and try to get up his conditioning," Suns coach Terry Porter said to the newspaper. "As soon as you take a couple steps forward, you've got to take a couple steps backward for him, unfortunately."

Stoudemire will be out at least until Sunday night's open practice at US Airways Center, the report said.

"He actually had some damage to his iris, which is not serious, fortunately," Phoenix general manager Steve Kerr said to the Republic.

The 25-year-old averaged 25.2 points and 9.1 rebounds in 79 games last season. The ninth overall pick in the 2002 draft, Stoudemire has averaged 21.0 points and 9.1 rebounds over 381 games during his six-year career with the Suns.