BOSTON – Jabari Bird remains under guarded watch by Boston police at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Brighton, Mass, following an incident in which the Celtics guard was arrested for allegedly assaulting another individual.
Bird, who will likely undergo a psychiatric evaluation before being released from the hospital to be booked, will face charges of assault and battery, strangulation and kidnapping.
What police are calling a domestic violence incident occurred Friday night in Brighton. The victim, who has not been identified, was taken to a separate hospital for treatment of injuries from the incident.
Bird won’t be officially booked until after he is released from the hospital.
The Celtics released the following statement early Saturday morning:
“We are aware of the incident involving Jabari Bird and are taking it very seriously. We are actively gathering information and will reserve further comment at this time.”
Bird, 24, selected by Boston with the 56th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft from Cal-Berkeley, was signed to a two-way contract as a rookie.
Boston Celtics
A 6-foot-6, 197-pound shooting guard, Bird split time between the Celtics (13 games) and their Gatorade League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws, last season.
After a strong showing on Boston’s summer league team in Las Vegas, the team rewarded him with a two-year, $2.9 million contract.
Now, this incident puts Bird’s future with the Celtics very much in a state of uncertainty.
While they loved his energy and athleticism, he comes into this season far from being one of the team's top players.
Bird has had several injuries in college at Cal and last season with the Celtics and Red Claws that he has had to overcome.
Still, this is obviously different.
And while those physical bumps and bruises healed in time, there’s no telling how long it’ll take for him to get past this incident.