Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland, wife stabbed outside New York nightclub

NEW YORK -- An NBA player and his wife were stabbed outside 1 Oak, a popular New York nightclub, early Wednesday.

Authorities say Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland had left the 1 Oak nightclub in the Chelsea neighborhood with his wife around 4 am Wednesday. Copeland may have been in an argument with his wife on the street when a 22-year-old man from Brooklyn came up and tried to listen in, possibly attempting to get involved, officials said.

Copeland, 31, was stabbed in the abdomen and was listed in stable condition at Bellevue Hospital. His wife, Katrine Saltara, was slashed multiple times. She was listed in stable condition also at Bellevue.

Police said 23-year-old Catherine Somani, apparently a friend of the suspect, was slashed by accident or while attempting to break up the dispute. She was listed in stable condition at Lenox Hill Hospital.

Investigators identified the suspect as 22-year-old Sharoy Blery Murdock of Brooklyn. Charges are pending. Police said a knife was recovered at the scene.

Meanwhile, as officers responded and were trying to sort things out, they say two Atlanta Hawks players got in the way of their attempts to establish a crime scene. One of them allegedly pushed a police officer and both were taken into custody. Thabo Sefolosha, 30, was charged with resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct. Pero Antic, 30, was charged with obstructing governmental administration, menacing and disorderly conduct.

"We are aware of the situation involving Pero Antic and Thabo Sefolosha this morning," Hawks spokesperson Garin Narain said in a statement. "We are in the process of gathering more information and will have further comment at the appropriate time."

Copeland is a 6-foot-8-inch forward originally from Orange, N.J. He played 56 games with the Knicks during the 2012-2013 season, his rookie year. He signed with the Pacers in 2013 as a restricted free agent and is in the second year of a two-year deal.

Sefolosha and Antic were in Atlanta Tuesday night, scoring a combined 32 points as the Hawks beat the Phoenix Suns. They apparently flew to New York City after their game as the Hawks play in Brooklyn Wednesday night.

Indiana Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird also released a 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," it said.