Last April, Hawks’ swingman Thabo Sefolosha had a late-night run-in with the New York Police Department outside a Chelsea Club on the night Chris Copeland was stabbed outside said club. Sefolosha was arrested for misdemeanor obstructing government administration, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest — but in the process of the arrest suffered a broken leg that kept him out of the playoffs last season.
Rather than accept a “let’s just make this go away” plea deal Sefolosha fought the charges in court and won.
As expected, Sefolosha confirmed will now sue the City of New York and the NYPD over the injuries, something he confirmed to ESPN Monday.In an interview Monday with ESPN’s Hannah Storm, Sefolosha said he hasn’t fully healed from the injuries, which also included severe ligament damage.
“There’s a lot of unknown about how this will affect me two years from now, five years from now, 10 years from now,” Sefolosha said. “Also because I think it’s the right approach to put lights in a situation like this and to ... fight back in a legal way and in a way that can empower, hopefully, more people.”
In his previously filed “notice of claim” (a precursor to a lawsuit against a municipality) he said he would ask for $50 million. What makes Sefolosha a dangerous defendant is that he is not just going to settle for some quick cash, he’s already wealthy, he’s doing this on principle.
However, to receive a large award he will need to show some permanent damage, and plays like this from the preseason are not going to help his cause.
Thabo's leg looked just fine on this one: https://t.co/qgW4KzwafY
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) October 19, 2015
In case you’re curious, Sefolosha and the Hawks will be back in New York to take on the Knicks this Thursday.