Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland was stabbed and his wife was slashed outside a New York nightclub early Wednesday morning.
Copeland, who has played for the Pacers since 2013, was stabbed in the abdomen at 1 OAK club, the New York Daily News reported. Copeland’s wife was stabbed in the arm and slashed across the breast and buttocks.
They were reportedly in stable condition at the hospital. Both suffered non-life threatening wounds.
The Pacers are in New York to play the Knicks on Wednesday night.
Larry Bird, the Indiana Pacers’ president of basketball operations released a team statement regarding Copeland:
“We are aware that Chris Copeland was injured early this morning in New York City. We are still gathering information and will update when we know more. Our thoughts are with Chris and those injured.”
The New York Police Department confirmed the stabbing, but only would identify the victims as an “NBA player and his wife.” Police said the incident occurred just before 4 a.m. outside the 1 Oak Club on West 17th Street. A second woman also was stabbed, the NYPD said.
According to reports, the incident stemmed from an argument at the club as Copeland and others, including the suspected attacker were leaving. The suspect was arrested and charges against him are pending.
Atlanta Hawks players Thabo Sefolosha and Pero Antic also were at the scene and arrested and charged after refusing to move when police tried to establish a crime scene, according to Daily News. Hours earlier, the Hawks had beaten the Suns in Atlanta 96-69 and they play the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.
The Hawks said they were aware of the incident.
“We are aware of the situation involving Pero Antic and Thabo Sefolosha this morning,” Hawks vice president of public relations Garin Narain told the the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We are in the process of gathering more information and will have further comment at the appropriate time.”