NBA Player Stabbed Outside Chelsea Nightclub Thanks Well-Wishers From Hospital; Suspect Appears in Court

The 31-year-old man accused of stabbing an ex-Knicks NBA player and his girlfriend outside a popular nightclub in Chelsea early Wednesday appeared before a judge Thursday as the victims continue to recover at a Manhattan hospital. 

Shevoy Bleary, 22, was charged with two counts each of second-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal possession in the attack early Wednesday on Chris Copeland, now a forward for the Indiana Pacers, and his girlfriend, Katrine Saltara. It wasn't clear if he spoke at the hearing; he is being represented by Legal Aid, which does not comment on ongoing criminal cases.

Copeland thanked well-wishers ahead of his accused stabber's court hearing Thursday. 

"I just want to thank everyone for their well wishes and prayers," Copeland said in a statement. "I look forward to coming back stronger than ever."

Copeland, who was in New York City's for the Pacers' matchup against the Knicks Wednesday night, was stabbed in the left elbow and abdomen while leaving the 1OAK nightclub on West 17th Street with Saltara, authorities said. Saltara was also stabbed three times -- in the arm, chest and buttocks -- and a 23-year-old woman with the alleged attacker was slashed twice in the fray as well. 

Bleary was pointed out to police by Copeland's driver after the attack. Bail was set at $20,000 after his arraignment Thursday. 

Pacers coach Frank Vogel said Thursday that he visited Copeland at the hospital after he had surgery, and that Copeland is expected to remain in the hospital for several more days.

Sources told ESPN that Copeland fractured his elbow during the stabbing and that the knife's blade touched his diaphragm.

In his statement, he apologized for being out late at the nightclub. He's been criticized for being at a nightclub so late on a game day, but neither the NBA or the Pacers have curfew policies. 

"I also want to apologize to everyone, particularly the NBA and Pacers for my bad choice at being out at that time," he said.

Saltara and the the second woman were also taken to hospitals in stable condition. 

Sources tell NBC 4 New York that Copeland and Saltara were arguing outside the club when a woman approached and tried to intervene. Copeland then began arguing with Bleary, who also walked up to them, and Saltara and the other woman tried to break up the fight. 

That's when Bleary allegedly pulled out a knife and started slashing people, cutting the 31-year-old basketball player, his girlfriend and the other woman, believed to be a friend of Bleary's. The second woman was stabbed in the chest and the abdomen; she needed 22 stitches. Bleary allegedly told investigators he had tried to push the woman who was with him away and she ended up getting slashed. 

Two other NBA players, the Atlanta Hawks’ Pero Antic and Thabo Sefolosha, were arrested on obstructing governmental administration and other charges after they allegedly blocked police who were attempting to set up a crime scene. Antic also allegedly grabbed and shoved an officer who was trying to get him to step back.

Antic and Sefolosha had come to the city following a game in Atlanta Tuesday night. The Hawks played the Nets at Barclays Center on Wednesday.

They were released on their own recognizance after a joint arraignment Wednesday afternoon. Their attorney, Alex Spiro, said the players "should not have been arrested" and that he expected their case to be dismissed.

Neither Antic nor Sefolosha played against the Nets. Sefolosha was limping during his court appearance and Spiro said he had been injured during the arrest. Coach Mike Budenholzer said the reserve would have his ankle checked.

Antic and Sefolosha said in a statement: "As members of the Atlanta Hawks, we hold ourselves to a high standard and take our roles as professionals very seriously. We will contest these charges and look forward to communicating the facts of the situation at the appropriate time."

1OAK said it is cooperating with the NYPD, adding that the disagreement that led to the stabbing doesn't appear to have originated from inside the club.

Copeland is originally from Orange, New Jersey, and played basketball for the University of Colorado and in Europe before joining the Knicks in 2012. He played one year for the team before signing with the Pacers in 2013.

Copeland has played infrequently for the Pacers, missing 21 games since Jan. 31. With All-Star Paul George making his season debut Sunday, Copeland's already limited minutes were expected to get cut.

-- Katherine Creag contributed to this report.

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