Boston Celtics guard Jabari Bird has been arrested following a “domestic incident,” in which Bird allegedly strangled, kidnapped, and assaulted someone, according to the Boston Globe.
The Celtics player was “guarded by the Boston police at a local hospital” on Saturday morning to undergo a psychological evaluation following the alleged assault. Meanwhile the victim was taken to another hospital “for treatment with injuries sustained,” Boston police Sergeant John Boyle told the Globe.
Bird is expected to appear in court on Monday to face charges. It’s unclear who the alleged victim is or what condition they are currently in.
“We are aware of the incident involving Jabari Bird and are taking it very seriously,” Celtics officials wrote in a statement Saturday. “We are actively gathering information and will reserve further comment at this time.”
The 24-year-old entered the league last year and was drafted by the Celtics as the 56th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft, after finishing his senior year at the University of California, Berkeley. During his first year on the team he split his time playing for Boston’s G-league affiliate the Maine Red Claws. He entered a two-year, $3 million contract with the team in July.
Aside from this legal trouble, the Celtics' 2018-19 season looks promising, as Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward positively recovered from their injuries during the off-season.
