Atlanta Hawks’ forward Thabo Sefolosha is suing New York City on allegations that police officers unjustly arrested and assaulted him outside of a nightclub in 2015, leaving him with a broken leg and missing the playoffs.
The lawsuit comes almost a year to the day that he and former teammate Pero Antic were involved in an altercation with NYPD officers. NYPD claimed that Sefolosha ignored their orders to vacate a scene where another NBA player, Chris Copeland, was stabbed.
NBA.com reports:
Sefolosha claims in his lawsuit that he called one of the officers “a midget” before he was thrown to the ground and arrested. He testified at his trial that he moved off the block at the behest of a confrontational officer and was trying to give a panhandler a $20 bill when he was grabbed by police and taken to the ground.
The officers “attacked and jumped” on Sefolosha and one used a baton to hit him during the arrest, he claims in the lawsuit. Sefolosha has said he was left with a broken leg during the struggle, causing him to miss the playoffs.
The lawsuit also alleges that the officers arrested him without cause and filed a false police report. Sefolosha is seeking unspecified damages from the city and the five officers involved.
Sefolosha’s injuries came at the worst time possible. He was a key part of the Atlanta Hawks’ 2014-15 “miracle” season where they won a franchise record 60 games and earned the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The 6’7 swingman was expected to be a defensive force against LeBron James when the Hawks eventually met against the Cleveland Cavaliers. His absence was obvious as James imposed his will on the undermanned Hawks who were swept by the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Sefolosha has since recovered from his injuries and is currently playing his best season with the Hawks.
Photo: AP Photo
