National Basketball Association

D'Antoni: Stoudemire to be back Monday

Published Feb. 8, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

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New York Knicks star Amar'e Stoudemire will rejoin his teammates early next week, head coach Mike D'Antoni told the New York Post Wednesday.

Stoudemire is grieving with family members in Florida after the death of his older brother Hazell, who was killed Monday in a car accident.

D'Antoni said the Knicks star would return to the team next Monday, meaning he would miss New York's three upcoming games against the Wizards, Lakers and Timberwolves.

Stoudemire issued a statement through the team Tuesday saying he was "humbled " by the thoughts and prayers he received in the wake of his 35-year-old brother's death.

"I am going to take a few days to be with my family and grieve the loss of my big brother, Hazell Stoudemire," he said. "Although it is not clear to me now, I hope to make some good come from our tragedy."

The Knicks — who also are without star forward Carmelo Anthony, who is suffering from a strained right groin — have overcome the absence of their two biggest stars, winning the team's last two games.

Jeremy Lin, the undrafted point-guard sensation out of Harvard, will make his second straight start Wednesday, according to the Post.

Lin scored 25, 28 and 23 points in the Knicks' last three games, propelling New York over the Nets, Jazz and Wizards.