THE SIDELINES : Knee Prompts Stipanovich to Retire

With his wife and infant daughter by his side, Indiana Pacers center Steve Stipanovich announced his retirement today from the National Basketball Assn.

The 7-foot center spent last season on the bench with an injured left knee. The injury caused a “dead spot” in the bone. Doctors drilled a hole trying to revive it, but their efforts yielded limited success. Stipanovich said he had been examined by three doctors and had undergone two operations, and nothing seemed to have helped.

“It seems to have gotten worse,” he said at a news conference at Pacers headquarters.

Stipanovich said he plans to stay off the knee for a year or two to help it heal, and that more surgery and perhaps an artificial knee will be needed. Stipanovich said that under the retirement agreement he will retain the insurance coverage on his contract, which expires in three years.