Hawks Player Injured For Season After Confrontation With NYPD Outside Manhattan Club

Thabo Sefolosha suffered the injury during an arrest for obstructing the police. The incident came after Pacers player Chris Copeland was stabbed at the club on Wednesday night.

A fight broke out outside 1 Oak nightclub in New York City early Wednesday morning, resulting in the stabbing of Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland and his wife, Katrine Saltara, police told BuzzFeed News.

Copeland, who used to play for the New York Knicks, was stabbed in the abdomen and his wife's arm was slashed. Both were taken to Bellevue Hospital and are in stable condition.

"We are aware that Chris Copeland was injured early this morning in New York City," Indiana Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird said in a statement. "We are still gathering information and will update when we know more. Our thoughts are with Chris and those injured."

Police said Shezoy Bleary was arrested and a knife was recovered from the scene. Two players for the Atlanta Hawks, Pero Antić and Thabo Sefolosha, were arrested after they refused to move for police to set up a crime scene. They were charged for obstructing government administration.

"We are aware of the situation involving Pero Antic and Thabo Sefolosha this morning," said Hawks spokesperson Garin Narain. "We are in the process of gathering more information and will have further comment at the appropriate time."

Sefolosha was diagnosed with a fractured fibula and ligament damage, according to ESPN.

He will need surgery, the team said, and he will miss the remainder of the Hawks season and playoffs. The Hawks are on a 19-game winning streak.

‎"There's a legal process underway, therefore, I cannot comment, other than to state that I believe in Thabo's innocence completely and am behind him 100 percent," Guy Zucker, Sefolosha's agent, said. "It's an incredibly difficult time for Thabo, his family and the Atlanta Hawks, considering the recent events and the seriousness of his injury."

NYPD did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Sefolosha signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the Hawks last year

The Indiana Pacers face the New York Knicks Wednesday night in Madison Square Garden. The Atlanta Hawks play the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on Wednesday.

Chris Copeland Update: http://t.co/IiM5mavuNx

His teammate tweeted:

Update on Chris Copeland and statement: http://t.co/W7ngudTnfe

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