Pacers Chris Copeland Still in ICU After Stabbing Incident

Christopher Stephen 'Chris' Copeland, who plays forward for the Indiana Pacers, is now in stable condition but has to remain in the intensive care unit in a New York hospital after undergoing surgery Thursday following a stabbing incident on Wednesday morning. In a staement he released through ESPN's Josina Anderson, he said: "I just want to thank everyone for their well wishes and prayers. I'm overwhelmed with the outpouring of support. I look forward to coming back stronger than ever. Thank you."

The Pacers also issued a statement later on behalf of Copeland, in which he said he wanted to "apologize to everyone, particularly the NBA and the Pacers for my bad choice at being out at that time."  As gathered by Anderson, he is expected to remain in intensive care for two or three more days. Doctors wanted to clear the wound on Copeland's elbow since it could lead to infection. He also suffered lacerations to his left hand.

Copeland was stabbed in the abdomen during an argument early Wednesday outside a club in Manhattan. His companion, Katrine Saltara, 28, was cut on the right arm and breast. Both were taken to the Bellevue Hospital Center for treatment. Another woman, Catherine Somani, 23, who was with the attacker, was also slashed and was taken to Lenox Hill Hospital.

The attacker, Shevoy Bleary-Murdock, 22, was arrested and charged with three counts of felony assault and four counts of criminal possession of a weapon. Officers recovered a spring-operated knife outside the 1 Oak nightclub on West 17th Street in Chelsea according to the police report. As gathered by the IndyStar, Copeland and Saltara were assaulted while waiting for their car outside of the club.

Also arrested Wednesday were Atlanta Hawks players Pero Antic and Thabo Sefolosha who were breifly detained. They were release later after brief court appearance where they were charged with obstructing governmental authority and disorderly conduct. They were neither with Copeland nor his attacker but they tried to prevent police from setting up a crime scene investigation at the club.