NEW YORK (TICKER) -- New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury's father, Don Marbury Sr., died after attending his son's game against the Phoenix Suns at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night, according to a report in the New York Times.

The newspaper reported that Don Marbury was taken to the hospital by ambulance during the Knicks' 115-104 loss to the Suns. But the report said that the exact cause of his death is unknown.

However, the Times cited a person who spoke with Knicks officials as saying the star guard's father did have chest pains during the game. The newspaper said he died shortly after at a local hospital.
The locker room was closed for 25 minutes after the game "apparently because players were in shock," the newspaper said.

It also reported that only a few players were around when media access was granted and all spoke "in somber tones" about the game but did not mention Marbury.

However, the Times said that Marbury walked back in the locker room at 9:55 EST to get something from his locker but did not talk to reporters. The newspaper did quote him as yelling to an unidentified person, "Jesus, that's how," as he quickly left the arena.

Don Marbury was the father of seven children, including four boys who famously played basketball at Lincoln High School in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn.

It has been a tumultuous season for the Knicks' captain, who has experienced a lot of family hardship. He lost a close family friend and his great aunt last month.

And it hasn't been any easier on the floor for the former All-Star, who was in a much-publicized feud with coach Isiah Thomas.

After being informed by Thomas that he wouldn't start a game at Phoenix last month, Marbury left the team and flew home in a huff. He return the next day to play against the Los Angeles Clippers, despite a team vote - ignored by Thomas - which sought to ban the guard from playing in the game.

All of this comes on the heels of an disastrous offseason for the organization, which - along with Thomas - lost a sexual harrassment lawsuit to former Madison Square Garden employee Anucha Browne Sanders.

The younger Marbury was a witness in that case, admitting to a sexual tryst with a former MSG intern - damaging testimony for Thomas and the organization.

The Knicks, who have started the season 5-11, have heard boos all campaign with fans chanting for Thomas' termination. Much of their problems have been blamed on the 30-year-old Marbury, who is averaging 14.2 points and 5.3 assists this season.


http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=txknicksmarbury&prov=st&type=lgns



Wow. I didn't know his Dad had left the game and died sometime during the second half.  And he had already lost a close family friend, and most recently, an aunt.  I can't imagine the emotional roller coaster he's going through.  My condolences go out to his family.