Amare Stoudemire misses Knicks game after death of his brother

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Amare Stoudemire left the New York Knicks on Monday to be with his family in Florida after the death of his older brother, Hazell Stoudemire, earlier in the day.

Stoudemire missed that night’s game, a 99-88 victory over the Utah Jazz, and the Knicks say they don’t know when he will return to the team.

“Our thoughts and prayers and everything’s with him, and whatever time he needs to take, he’ll take, and then we’ll get him back as soon as possible,” Knicks Coach Mike D’Antoni said after the team’s workout Monday morning.

D’Antoni added that Stoudemire “cherishes his family and he does a great job of maintaining all relationships.”

A moment of silence was held before the game at Madison Square Garden for Hazell Stoudemire, who was not wearing a seat belt when the sport utility vehicle he was driving slammed into the back of a trailer. The 35-year-old resident of Lakeland, Fla., one of the NBA star’s seven siblings, died at the scene, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The accident was still under investigation. It had not been determined if alcohol was a factor.

Jared Jeffires had 13 points and eight rebounds after starting in Stoudemire’s place at power forward against the Jazz.

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-- Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photos, from top: Amare Stoudemire; Hazell Stoudemire in 2009. Credits: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times; Rick Runion / Associated Press