Pacers player stabbed outside NYC nightclub vows to ‘make a full recovery’

Chris Copeland is shown in May 2013 when he played for the New York Knicks. Copeland, who now plays for the Indiana Pacers, his wife and another woman were stabbed outside a New York City nightclub early Wednesday, April 8, 2015. Both were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, ABC reported. (Reuters/Mike Segar)

Police guard the scene near the 1 Oak nightclub in New York April 8, 2015. NBA player Chris Copeland of the Indiana Pacers and his wife were stabbed during a dispute outside a New York City nightclub early on Wednesday and hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police and media reports. Two Atlanta Hawks players were taken into custody for interfering with the arrest and trying to prevent police from setting up a crime scene. Police identified them as Pero Antic, 33, and Thabo Sefolosha, 30, both of Atlanta. (REUTERS/Andrew Kelly)

Blood is seen on the sidewalk near the 1 Oak nightclub in New York on April 8, 2015. NBA player Chris Copeland of the Indiana Pacers and his wife were stabbed during a dispute outside a New York City nightclub early on Wednesday and hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police and media reports. Two Atlanta Hawks players were taken into custody for interfering with the arrest and trying to prevent police from setting up a crime scene. Police identified them as Pero Antic, 33, and Thabo Sefolosha, 30, both of Atlanta. (REUTERS/Andrew Kelly)

The 1 Oak nightclub is seen in New York April 8, 2015. NBA player Chris Copeland of the Indiana Pacers and his wife were stabbed during a dispute outside a New York City nightclub early on Wednesday and hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police and media reports. Two Atlanta Hawks players were taken into custody for interfering with the arrest and trying to prevent police from setting up a crime scene. Police identified them as Pero Antic, 33, and Thabo Sefolosha, 30, both of Atlanta. (REUTERS/Andrew Kelly)

Blood is smeared on a car near the 1 Oak nightclub in New York on April 8, 2015. NBA player Chris Copeland of the Indiana Pacers and his wife were stabbed during a dispute outside a New York City nightclub early on Wednesday and hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police and media reports. Two Atlanta Hawks players were taken into custody for interfering with the arrest and trying to prevent police from setting up a crime scene. Police identified them as Pero Antic, 33, and Thabo Sefolosha, 30, both of Atlanta. (REUTERS/Andrew Kelly)

NBA player Thabo Sefolosha, 30, of the Atlanta Hawks is seen escorted out of the 10th Precinct of the New York Police Department (NYPD) in Manhattan, New York April 8, 2015. NBA player Chris Copeland of the Indiana Pacers and his wife were stabbed during a dispute outside a New York City nightclub early on Wednesday and hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police and media reports. Two Atlanta Hawks players were taken into custody for interfering with the arrest and trying to prevent police from setting up a crime scene. Police identified them as Pero Antic, 33, and Thabo Sefolosha, 30, both of Atlanta. (REUTERS/Andrew Kelly)

NBA player Pero Antic, 33, of the Atlanta Hawks is seen escorted out of 10th Precinct of the New York Police Department (NYPD) in Manhattan, New York April 8, 2015. NBA player Chris Copeland of the Indiana Pacers and his wife were stabbed during a dispute outside a New York City nightclub early on Wednesday and hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police and media reports. Two Atlanta Hawks players were taken into custody for interfering with the arrest and trying to prevent police from setting up a crime scene. Police identified them as Pero Antic, 33, and Thabo Sefolosha, 30, both of Atlanta. (REUTERS/Andrew Kelly)

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REUTERS

April 9, 2015 - 11:51 am

Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland was recovering at a New York hospital on Thursday after undergoing surgery on his abdomen and elbow from knife wounds and said he would “work hard to make a full recovery.”

Copeland, 31, and his former fiancée Katrine Saltara, 28, were stabbed in an incident at about 4 a.m. on Wednesday outside a nightclub in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood.

In a statement, the three-year NBA veteran thanked his “fans, friends, teammates, coaches and the Pacers organization for their support and prayers during this time.”

“I also want to apologize to everyone, particularly the NBA and the Pacers for my bad choice at being out at that time,” he added. “I am doing as well as can be expected and I will work hard to make a full recovery.”

Copeland underwent surgery on Wednesday on his abdomen and left elbow for the stab wounds and was in stable condition on Thursday at a New York City hospital, the team said, adding that there was no timetable for how long he will remain hospitalized.

The man who allegedly attacked Copeland, Shezoy Bleary, 22, was arrested, and two members of the Atlanta Hawks, Pero Antic and Thabo Sefolosha, were also charged for trying to prevent police from setting up a crime scene.

A second woman, who was believed to be Bleary’s girlfriend, also was slashed in the abdomen during the incident, police said.

Copeland is averaging 6.2 points a game for the Pacers this season.