Chris Copeland, NBA Player, Stabbed in Fight Outside NYC Club

Chris Copeland, a basketball player with the Indiana Pacers, was stabbed in the abdomen outside of a New York City club early Wednesday along with two other women. All three were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries, and the attacker and two other NBA stars were arrested in the aftermath.

Copeland, a 6-foot-8 forward with the Pacers, is in town with the team, which is scheduled to play the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden Wednesday evening. Sources told the New York Daily News that Copeland, 31, and a female friend, 28-year-old Katrine Saltara, were leaving the 10AK club when they began arguing around 4 a.m.

Another club goer, 22-year-old Shezoy Bleary, reportedly "inserted himself into the dispute" and then allegedly pulled out a knife, stabbed Copeland, and slashed Saltara in her arm and leg. The attacker's friend, 23-year-old Catherine Somani, was accidentally slashed in the abdomen during the fight.

Copeland's limo driver contacted police while the incident was unfolding and officers quickly arrived and took Bleary into custody, according to the New York Post.

Two Atlanta Hawks players — Pero Antic, 31, and Thabo Sefolosha, 30 — were also picked up and charged with resisting arrest, according to the Post. Antic was accused of obstructing governmental administration, disorderly conduct, and menacing, while Sefolosha was charged with resisting arrest as well as obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct.

The Atlanta Hawks are in town to play the New York Nets at the Barclay Center on Wednesday.

Copeland and Saltara were transported to Bellevue Hospital and are in stable condition while Somani was taken to Lenox Hill Hospital, authorities said.

NBA Hall of Famer Larry Bird, who is the Pacers president of basketball operations, issued a statement on the incident Wednesday.

"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," Bird said. "Our thoughts are with Chris and those injured."

The Pacers said in a separate statement that Copeland sustained a wound to the left elbow as well as to his abdomen but remained in stable condition.

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