Article content DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks say Kristaps Porzingis was involved in an altercation at a nightclub in his native Latvia. After video showed the 7-foot-3 forward with a bloody forehead, the Mavericks said Sunday: “It is our understanding that Kristaps was jumped and assaulted outside of a club,” without providing further details. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Kristaps Porzingis jumped outside nightclub in Latvia: Mavericks Back to video Video of the aftermath of the incident obtained by TMZ showed an agitated Porzingis in a torn shirt, pushing someone out of the way and approaching a group of men before several people stopped him and urged him to calm down. The 23-year-old Porzingis was acquired by Dallas in a blockbuster deal with the New York Knicks before the trading deadline but hasn’t played for the club. He missed the 2018-19 season after tearing a ligament in his left knee in what turned out to be his final game for the Knicks in February 2018. Porzingis will be a restricted free agent July 1, and the Mavericks have said they intend to sign him to a long-term contract.<doc-sep>Video has surfaced of a bloody Kristaps Porzingis outside a bar in the aftermath of a fight. The footage, circulating the internet, appears to have been shot in his native Latvia. The Dallas Mavericks star, traded from the New York Knicks in late January, has a ripped shirt and a cut above his eye. He shoves a woman out of the way to confront another party, but what appears to be either security or police are there to intervene. According to a Latvian source, Porzingis was coming out of the bar as a group of Russians already were outside disputing with the bar’s security, who did not want to let them in. That is when the altercation ensued. The source said one of Porzingis’ friends was injured more severely. According to TMZ, Kristaps Porzingis got into a fight in Latvia with some Russians who were upset that he’s no longer on the Knicks. Apparently Porzingis was clubbing. Here is the video of the aftermath. pic.twitter.com/dWdB66fUYt — Stefan Bondy (@SBondyNYDN) May 12, 2019 According to another source debriefed on the incident, Porzingis “got jumped, hit with an object and it got broken up quickly. It was Russian Victory Weekend and were lots of altercations in the area.” The Mavericks are investigating All-Star Kristaps Porzingis’ altercation in Europe over weekend and current understanding is he was jumped at a club, assaulted and hit by objects, @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium has learned. — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 12, 2019 Per source, the Mavs’ understanding of this incident is that Kristaps Porzingis got jumped and fought back before club security broke up the scuffle. https://t.co/UsJPOvmzcg — Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) May 12, 2019 In the video, Porzingis reportedly said, “I’ll send your ass back to Russia.” In an audio-taped interview from Latvia and played for the Knicks Film School website, Porzingis apparently says in his native tongue an iron chair was thrown that hit him in the head. Porzingis said he threw punches and received a blow to the forehead and added one of his friends was knocked out cold. Porzingis said he was fine but complained of a hand injury. Latvian outlet Avize reports Porzingis may have broken his hand. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon tweeted Porzingis did not suffer any significant injuries. Multiple sources do not believe the motivation of the assault stemmed from his being traded from the Knicks, as a TMZ report stated. A Porzingis spokesman did not immediately respond for comment. “It is our understanding that Kristaps was jumped and assaulted outside of a club in Latvia,” the Mavericks said in a statement. “We will provide an update when one is available.” This article originally appeared on the NY Post and was reproduced with permission.<doc-sep>A video emerged Sunday showing a bloodied and angry Kristaps Porzingis outside of a club in his native Latvia, and the NBA and the Dallas Mavericks are looking into the incident. The Mavericks released a statement after the video went viral, saying, "It is our understanding that Kristaps was jumped and assaulted outside of a club in Latvia. We will provide an update when one is available." In a statement to USA TODAY Sports and other outlets, NBA spokesman Mike Bass said, "We are aware of the video and are in the process of gathering more information." In the video, the 7-3 Porzingis, who has blood on his head and a tear in his shirt, moves a woman out of the way before approaching what appears to be a law enforcement officer to have a conversation. Porzingis, 23, was traded to the Mavericks in January after three seasons with the New York Knicks, where he emerged as one of the NBA's most talented young stars. He missed the entire 2018-19 season with a torn ACL.<doc-sep>
Video has surfaced of a bloody Kristaps Porzingis outside a bar in the aftermath of what appears to have been a fight. The footage, circulating the internet, appears to have been shot in his native Latvia. The Mavericks star, traded from the Knicks in late January, has a ripped shirt and a cut above his eye. He shoves a woman out of the way to confront another party, but what appears to be either security or police are there to intervene. The specifics and when the altercation took place are not yet known. The Mavericks are investigating the incident, according to The Athletic, and believe he was jumped and assaulted. Stream live coverage of the 2018/19 NBA Playoffs & every game of The NBA Finals with ESPN on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14 day free trial > A Porzingis spokesman did not immediately respond for comment. TMZ Sports was first to report the news, and their sources say that a “handful of Russians confronted Kristaps,” annoyed that the big-man forced his way out of the Knicks. Porzingis was clubbing in his hometown of Liepaja when the alleged incident occurred. In the video, Porzingis reportedly said, “I’ll send your ass back to Russia.” According to a Latvian source, Porzingis was coming out of the bar as a group of Russians already were outside disputing with the bar’s security, who did not want to let them in. That is when the altercation ensued. The source said one of Porzingis’ friends was injured more severely. “It is our understanding that Kristaps was jumped and assaulted outside of a club in Latvia,” the Mavericks said in a statement. “We will provide an update when one is available.” –Additional reporting by Marc Berman Part of this story appeared on the NY Post