Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor allegedly was involved in an altercation outside a Boston nightclub late Wednesday night. A man who appears to be Okafor is seen first pushing and then swinging at another man in the video of the skirmish released by TMZ. Police are investigating the situation.
76ers’ Jahlil Okafor allegedly involved in street fight
The rookie center allegedly punched a man outside a club in Boston.
Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
The discussion was allegedly caused by a heckler screaming, "the 76ers suck," at Okafor. Things escalated when someone got physical with an unidentified teammate of Okafor's, according to what a representative for the 19-year-old rookie center told TMZ. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the teammate in question was fellow rookie Christian Wood.
“[Okafor] was being heckled from the moment he left the club and felt threatened because people swarmed him on the street,” according to the source. “So Jahlil did what he felt he needed to do to protect himself and his friend.”
ESPN’s Jeff Goodman confirmed the report.
“The 76ers suck and you guys are all losers,” Goodman’s source claims the heckler said. “You’ll never win a game.”
The Inquirer and CSN Philly both reported Friday on another nightclub incident involving Okafor last month. At a Philadelphia nightclub in October, Okafor allegedly exchanged words with a heckler seated in a parked car and, according to CSN Philly, attempted to punch him through an open window. Afterwards, the driver and a passenger allegedly exited the car and pointed a gun in Okafor’s direction before fleeing. CSN Philly cited separate police reports obtained from U.S. Park Rangers and the Philadelphia Police Department.
The Philadelphia 76ers released this statement regarding the October incident.
Statement from Sixers on Oct incident involving gun being pulled on Okafor outside nightclub pic.twitter.com/fCeK9Yt6qT
— John Gonzalez (@gonzoCSN) November 28, 2015 In Wednesday’s incident, Okafor allegedly punched someone but that wasn’t recorded. He is seen pushing someone and then swinging at a man before being restrained and punched from behind by another person.
No one was arrested and there have been no charges pressed against Okafor at this time. Boston police has no plans to investigate the incident unless someone comes forward claiming to have been the victim of a crime, according to the Associated Press.
“We are aware of the report and we are currently working to gather additional information,” the 76ers said on a statement. “Until that time, we will have no further comment.”
Okafor will play on Friday against the Rockets, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer's Keith Pompey.
The rookie spoke to the media and expressed regret over what happened.
Okafor said the hardest part of the whole incident is the embarrassment. Says he knows he should have walked away.
— Bob Cooney (@BobCooney76) noviembre 27, 2015 Okafor, the third overall pick of the 2015 draft, was in Boston for the 76ers' matchup against the Celtics. Philadelphia lost that game after leading for most of it. The 76ers are now 0-16 for the season.
Okafor is averaging 18 points, eight rebounds and two blocks per game.
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