Three people were arrested, including two NBA players, after Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland was stabbed in the stomach and two women were slashed outside a New York City nightclub early Wednesday, according to reports.
The incident occurred around 4 a.m. following a violent altercation outside a club on West 17th Street and Ninth Avenue, according to KTLA sister station WPIX.
A man suffered stab wounds and two women were slashed during the fight, according to the New York Police Department. All three were reported to be in stable condition.
An NYPD spokesperson confirmed to the television station that the male victim was an Indiana Pacers basketball player, but did not release his name.
A source later identified him as Chris Copeland, a 31-year-old forward with the team who once played for the New York Knicks, according to the WPIX.
Pacers President Larry Bird later confirmed Copeland was injured.
“We are aware that Chris Copeland was injured early this morning in New York City,” Bird said in a statement, according to the station. “We are still gathering information and will update when we know more. Our thoughts are with Chris and those injured.”
The person suspected of attacking Copeland, 22-year-old Shezoy Bleary, was arrested, according to the New York Daily News.
Two members of the Atlanta Hawks, Pero Antić and Thabo Sefolosha, were also arrested and booked after allegedly trying to prevent police from setting up a crime scene, the newspaper reported.
They faced charges of obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct, NYPD Det. Kelly Ort told CNN. She added that Antić and Sefolosha had not been involved in the initial dispute.
The Pacers and Knicks are scheduled to play Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
KTLA’s sister station WPIX contributed to this story.
