Cops: No Okafor investigation planned at this point
BOSTON — Boston police say they do not plan to investigate an apparent scuffle involving Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor unless someone involved comes forward to say they were the victim of a crime.
Officer James Kenneally said Friday that police responded to reports of a fight outside a Boston nightclub hours after the winless Sixers lost to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night. But Kenneally says the participants were gone by the time officers arrived and nobody was arrested or charged.
TMZ released video Thursday that showed a man it identified as Okafor verbally sparring with several individuals. A scuffle broke out, and the man identified as Okafor is seen punching a man.
“Apparently, they said: ‘The 76ers suck and you guys are all losers. You’ll never win a game,'” a source close to Okafor told ESPN’s Jeff Goodman.
“I was around the corner when it happened. I saw him a minute after he knocked the dude out,” the source said. “I think the guy was just talking s—. Saying the Sixers suck.”
The 76ers released a statement Thursday evening saying they were aware of the report and working to gather additional information. An NBA spokesman also said Friday that the league was aware and looking into the matter.
As of Friday morning, Okafor was expected to participate in the Sixers’ shootaround and game later in the day against the Houston Rockets.
The Sixers lost 84-80 to the Celtics earlier Wednesday evening. Okafor, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 draft, had 19 points and nine rebounds in the loss. He is averaging a team-high 18.4 points with 8.1 rebounds per game.
The Sixers (0-16) have lost 26 straight games dating to last season and are the first team in NBA history to start 0-16 in consecutive seasons.
Information from ESPN’s Marc Stein and The Associated Press was used in this report.
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