Atlanta Hawks small forward Thabo Sefolosha blames New York City cops for breaking his leg outside of a Manhattan nightclub last week.
“On advice of counsel, I hope you can appreciate that I cannot discuss the facts of the case,” the Swiss player said in a statement released by the Hawks. “Those questions will be answered by my attorney in a court of law. I will simply say that I am in great pain, have experienced a significant injury and that the injury was caused by the police.”
The police arrested Sefolosha and teammate Pero Antic for refusing to leave Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland, after a patron of 1 Oak stabbed him and his wife. The cops arrested Sefolosha for resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. The NBA and the players’ union have launched an investigation into the matter.
Sefolosha contributed 5.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game this season.
“I would like to begin by expressing my gratitude to my family and friends, the Hawks organization and my teammates,” Sefolosha said in the statement. “This has been a difficult time for me and I truly appreciate the support I have received from everyone. I am extremely disappointed that I will not be able to join my teammates on the court during the playoffs and apologize to them for any distraction this incident has caused. I will be cheering for them every step of the way and will be diligent in my rehabilitation.”
The Hawks sit atop the Eastern Conference at 60-21. The team closes out the season Wednesday night against the Chicago Bulls.
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