Stojakovic sits out Game 2 with sore knee

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Peja Stojakovic missed Game 2 of Indiana's first-round playoff series against the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday night because of pain and fluid on his right knee.

"It got to the point where I wasn't able to handle the pain," Stojakovic said after the Pacers lost 90-75, evening the best-of-seven series. "The coach decided I should sit out this one and try to be ready for Thursday."

Stojakovic said that an MRI exam on the knee on Monday showed no structural damage, although the fluid limited his mobility.

The knee has bothered Stojakovic all season. He hopes that rest and medication will allow him to play in Game 3 in Indiana on Thursday.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said the injury happened a while ago in a game in Detroit.

Stojakovic was at the Pacers' shootaround on Tuesday morning. However, Carlisle did not even mention that the forward might miss the game less than 90 minutes before tip-off.

The media was not told until the Pacers submitted their active roster an hour before the game.

"It was clear that having him out there tonight would be the wrong thing to do," Carlisle said after the game. "He just wasn't able to cut on it and move the way he needs to."

Rookie Danny Granger started for Stojakovic and scored 11 points.

Stojakovic had 12 points and five rebounds in nearly 26 minutes on Sunday in the Pacers' 90-88 win. He only played 4:28 in the fourth quarter, scoring two points.

Stojakovic was acquired in a trade for Ron Artest. He averaged 18.2 points overall this season, including 19.5 points in 40 games with Indiana.

The Pacers also activated guard Jamaal Tinsley for the game. He missed the series opener and the last three of the regular season with an Achilles' injury.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

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