Suns' Barbosa injured, out for the final two preseason games

The Suns will be without guard Leandro Barbosa for at least the final two preseason games after the Brazilian guard suffered bruised ribs in Sunday’s preseason win over Charlotte in Los Angeles.

Barbosa took an elbow to the ribs in the final minute of the game. He will miss Thursday’s home preseason game against Denver at US Airways Center and will not fly with the team to Vancouver for Friday’s preseason finale against Seattle. The Suns said the injury isn’t believed to be serious and Barbosa should be OK when the regular season begins on Nov. 1 in Seattle.

Forward Grant Hill, who left Sunday’s game after taking a blow to his back and suffering spasms, is responding well to treatment. The team was still deciding whether Hill should take part in the scrimmage that caps tonight’s open practice (6 p.m.) for fans at the USAC.

Fans will definitely get their first look at Amare Stoudemire tonight. The center has been given the green light to take part in a full practice for the first time since undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery on Oct. 2. Stoudemire will play in at least one, and likely both, of the remaining preseason games.