NBA

Stoudemire jumping into Knicks D-League practice

Amar’e Stoudemire is back today — as a D-Leaguer.

Stoudemire was cleared yesterday to practice and will do so today with the Knicks’ D-League affiliate, the Erie Bayhawks, which is practicing at the team’s Westchester facility the next few days.

It’s the largest step to the power forward’s comeback from left knee surgery. In what could be an early Christmas present, nobody is yet ruling out Stoudemire making his season debut by the end of the homestand. Coach Mike Woodson said Stoudemire will be reevaluated after he practices again with the D-Leaguers Thursday.

The Knicks host the Bulls on Friday and Timberwolves on Sunday to finish out the homestand before their Christmas Day game in Los Angeles against the Lakers. Woodson said it is unknown whether Stoudemire will be ready by the homestand after just two practices. A source said it will be up to the doctors.

Woodson is reluctant to scrimmage his players amid all their injuries. A Knicks official said Erie, which has Allan Houston as its GM, runs the same plays as the Knicks. Erie has a break in its schedule and don’t resume play until Friday in Springfield, Mass.

“He’s moving along in a positive way,’’ Woodson said. “Everything is going according to plan. We just haven’t had any time to get some practice time. Hopefully [today] we will get practice time and we’ll see where he is.’’

D-League officials foresee teams increasingly going to practice with their NBA parent clubs. The Knicks have three training-camp invitees on the Erie roster: Mychel Thompson, Oscar Bellfield and Henry Sims.

The Post reported last month Stoudemire was aiming to return around Christmas. Another potential and fitting debut could be the following day when the Knicks visit Stoudemire’s old stomping grounds in Phoenix. Stoudemire also may want to debut on the road to take the pressure off.

“After that first practice, we have to weigh how he feels the next day,’’ Woodson said. “That’s the whole key. If he’s sore the next day, we’ll have to back off until we gradually get him where we need to have him. I’m not throwing any guys out there where they have a chance to fail.’’

Stoudemire likely will begin in a bench role. It is a good time for Stoudemire to ease in because Rasheed Wallace and Marcus Camby, their backup big men, have been out with sore left feet.