Atlanta Hawks star Thabo Sefolosha sustained a fractured fibula and ligament damage during the Chris Copeland stabbing incident in New York on Wednesday.
READ MORE:
Hawks pair release statement on Copeland incident: Antic and Sefolosha arrested at scene.
Copeland stabbed in New York: Pacers star in hospital with injuries.
Paul George makes Pacers return: (Video) Fans give star man a standing ovation.
Sefolosha has been ruled out for the rest of the season as he will need surgery, and it is just the latest update from the situation that broke out outside a nightclub in New York early on Wednesday morning.
Both Sefolosha and Hawks teammate Pero Antic were arrested by police at the scene after they resisted arrest and were interfering with the local police setting up a crime scene following the attack on Copeland, as reported by ESPN.
The pair have since released a statement along with coach Mike Budenholzer, as they apologised to the organisation and fans for bringing negativity to the franchise with the recent reports ahead of what will be a crucial time of the season.
However, none of the parties concerned have spoken about details of the incident as the legal process is on-going and they will await to hear the police report before making any further comment or taking any action. The pair have since been released and are expected to contest their charges at a hearing in June.
On the court, Sefolosha’s absence will be a significant blow in the playoffs as he has played an integral role for the Hawks on the defensive end since his arrival from the Oklahoma City Thunder last year.
Although he has missed 23 games this season with a calf injury, he has the best defensive rating on the team by a considerable margin and also averages 5.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game this year.
It remains to be seen what comes out of the investigation, but Sefolosha’s agent, Guy Zucker, insists he is innocent of any wrong-doing and will hope to return next year, ESPN reports.
COMMENTS