Atlanta Hawks forward Thabo Sefolosha claims that New York City police are to blame for his season-ending injuries.
On Tuesday, Sefolosha released a statement that was published in USA Today that, “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 31-year-old NBA veteran is on the disabled list after sustaining a broken right fibula and ligament damage in his leg at the scene of his arrest by police in New York on April 8.
“Sefolosha and teammate Pero Antic were both arrested. Sefolosha was charged with resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct, and Antic was charged with obstructing governmental administration, menacing and disorderly conduct,” USA Today reports.
The incident occurred outside an New York nightclub after Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland was reportedly stabbed in his abdomen and elbow.
The Hawks, days away from starting its 2015 playoff run, will be without Sefolosha as he will have surgery on his leg this week.
“This has been a difficult time for me, and I truly appreciate the support I have received from everyone,” Sefolosha said in his first public statement since the incident. “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.”
This is Sefolosha’s first season with Atlanta and has averaged just under 19 minutes a game for the first place Hawks.