NBA: Each team’s greatest comeback from injury in franchise history

Greatest injury comeback in Phoenix Suns history: Amar’e Stoudemire

Microfracture knee surgery

Amar’e Stoudemire was part of the Golden Era for the Phoenix Suns. He joined the Suns as the ninth overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, straight out of high school and from there, the league was his to feast on.

He took home Rookie of the Year honors, averaging 13.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per contest in 2002-03. Phoenix made the postseason, losing in the first round. It was a sign of things to come.

During the 2004-05 season, he produced a career-high 26.0 points per game along with 8.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.6 blocks per contest while making his first All-Star appearance. It’s the year he scored a career-high 50 points showing that he was breaking out at the right time.

Just as things were starting to look up, Stoudemire was forced to miss extended time during the 2005-06 season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his left knee. He appeared in just three games during the regular season, averaging 8.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game.

In his return, he made the ultimate comeback, appearing in all 82 games and averaging 20.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per contest. Stoudemire posted a career-high 46 double-doubles just when it looked like his knee was wearing down.

He took it a step further in 2007-08 when he made his second All-Star appearance in a row, producing 25.2 points per game in 79 appearances. Knee injuries forced Stoudemire to retire in 2016 but as of May 2018, he’s eyed making another comeback. He’s yet to say much since then, but his comeback is still memorable given the Suns’ current state.