Lamar Odom's father Joe has appealed for prayers for his son, who his fighting for his life in hospital in Las Vegas.

The sports star's dad is waiting at his home in Marina Del Rey, California, for news relating to his son's condition, after he was found with a ''mucus-type liquid coming out of his nose and mouth'' at Dennis Hoff's brothel in Nevada following a weekend of reported partying and allegedly taking herbal Viagra pills.

A source told US Weekly magazine that the troubled basketball player's dad Joe - who has battled drug addiction in the past - is in shock and repeatedly called for ''prayers, just prayers''.

He also said he was ''just trying to take care of some business right now.''

Lamar, 35, who was married to Khloe Kardashian, is in a critical condition and breathing only with the help of machines after falling unconscious at the Love Ranch South in Pahrump, Nevada

Meanwhile, Lamar's former basketball team the Los Angeles Lakers reacted to the news but insisted they have no knowledge of the situation.

John Black, spokesman for the team, said in a statement: ''We are aware of the reports but have no information to share at this time. I am not aware of any of our players being in contact with Lamar.''

Lamar played for the Lakers during the 2009 and 2010 seasons and was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in December 2011.

At the time Lamar was found unconscious, the Lakers were playing a preseason game against the Sacramento Kings in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.