Celtic Pierce OK After Stabbing

BOSTON (AP) â€” Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics was recovering from stab wounds inflicted during a party at a downtown nightclub, while police sought his attacker. <br><br>Officials didn't say what

Tuesday, September 26th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

BOSTON (AP) â€” Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics was recovering from stab wounds inflicted during a party at a downtown nightclub, while police sought his attacker.

Officials didn't say what the motive was for the stabbing, which occurred at 1:10 a.m. Monday in the Buzz Club/Europa, but a police spokeswoman said associates of the rap group Made Men were being looked into.

The group denied any involvement.

``We can say absolutely that Made Men had nothing to do with the melee that took place last night,'' group member Raymond ``Ray Dog'' Scott, who was at the party, said in a statement Monday. ``We do not condone or advocate violence against anybody.''

John Swomley, who represents the rap group, said he had contacted investigators and asked if they wanted to speak to his clients, but the investigators declined.

The Boston Herald reported Tuesday, based on unidentified sources, that Pierce's assailant was a member of Made Men's ``posse'' who was seeking revenge after a confrontation at a different nightclub 24 hours earlier.

The rap group's associates were angry over their perception that Pierce and his friends had been given special treatment, the newspaper reported.

Pierce was in fair and stable condition after surgery to repair his damaged lung, according to officials at the New England Medical Center. They termed the stab wounds to Pierce's face, neck and back as mostly superficial.

Former coach and player Tommy Heinsohn said Pierce had been wearing a leather jacket, which helped protect him. Pierce was able to walk into the hospital's emergency after being driven there by friends.

Pierce, 22, the Celtics' first-round draft choice out of Kansas in 1998, was visited by family members from California, and by Celtics staff and players.

``Paul is in good spirits and is looking forward to putting this ordeal behind him and returning to what he does best â€” playing basketball,'' his family said in a statement.

Witnesses told police that an altercation broke out before Pierce was knifed.

``We're not sure what the altercation was about,'' police spokeswoman Mariellen Burns said. ``We're not even sure Mr. Pierce and his friends were involved in what this altercation was about.''