Karl Malone missed Friday's Hall of Fame induction ceremony, but surprised former teammate John Stockton and coach Jerry Sloan nonetheless.

Malone showed up for Saturday's night Hall of Fame dinner at the Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino in Uncasville, Conn.

"My stepfather Ray is on life support," Malone told ESPN's Ric Bucher. "My family and I decided to get away from that for a few hours and come here and then go right back."

Stockton said in his acceptance speech that Malone missed the ceremony because of "an illness in the family." Malone will be eligible to enter the Hall of Fame next year.

"Stock left me messages all day today and wanted to know how things were going," Malone added. "I didn't text him back because I would've told him I was coming. We're only going to be here for three or four hours. It was just a respect thing. I came to get a hug from John and Jerry Sloan."