NEW YORK — Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland, his wife and another woman were stabbed and slashed early Wednesday outside a Manhattan nightclub, the New York Daily News reported.
Police declined to name the victims, saying only that one was an NBA player and that they sustained minor injuries and were hospitalized. The incident happened just before 4 a.m. outside the 1Oak Club on West 17th Street. The stabber was taken into custody.
Citing police sources, the Daily News also reported that two Atlanta Hawks players -- Pero Antic and Thabo Sefolosha -- were arrested for trying to prevent police from setting up a crime scene. Police said the NBA player was stabbed in the abdomen. His wife was stabbed in the arm and slashed across the breast and buttocks.
Police said the two were arguing outside the club when a group — including the other injured woman — interfered. They say a verbal dispute ensued with one man pulling out a knife. The knife was recovered.
The Pacers are scheduled to play the New York Knicks tonight at Madison Square Garden; Atlanta is playing the Brooklyn Nets tonight.
