The thuggery in the NBA continues. According to published reports Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland and his girlfriend were stabbed outside popular New York City nightclub 1 OAK on Tuesday night.
According to the NY Daily News, Copeland and Katrine Saltara, 28, began arguing after leaving the club. A club patron, 22-year-old Shezoy Bleary, pulled a knife and allegedly stabbed Copeland, 31, and slashed Saltara on her arm and leg. In the fracas, Bleary accidentally slashed his friend Catherine Somani, 23, in her abdomen.
Copeland, Saltara, and Somani were treated and released from area hospitals. Bleary was arrested and a bloody knife was recovered by police.
Two Atlanta Hawks players, Thabo Sefolosha and Pero Antic, were arrested for disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice, among other charges.
According to the NY Daily News, Sefolosha, 30, and Antic, 32, were taken into custody after they refused to move while police were roping off the crime scene.
Copeland reportedly ordered water during the 30 minutes he was inside the club. It’s unknown whether the other 2 players were drinking. NBA standards of behavior policy prohibits public drunkenness and criminal behavior that otherwise taints the NBA brand. Stiff fines await players who violate the policy.
The Hawks will take on the Brooklyn Nets NBA team tonight at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. The Pacers play the Knicks tonight at Madison Square Garden.
