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NEW YORK — Houston Rockets guard Rafer Alston was released without bail Tuesday after being charged with stabbing a man at a Manhattan nightspot — his second brush with the law this month.
Police arrested Alston, 31, early Monday on felony assault charges after responding to a brawl at a nightclub. A criminal complaint alleges that amid the ruckus, he slashed a man at the club in the neck.
Alston, who grew up in Queens, was ordered to return to court Jan. 3. His attorney did not respond to a telephone message.
The arrest came three weeks after Alston was charged with misdemeanor assault and public intoxication in Houston.
Alston was accused of grabbing a parking attendant's arm, shaking him and spitting on him after Alston's vehicle was towed from a lot. The attendant said Alston parked illegally and did not pay.
Alston told a Houston television station he got into a shouting match with the attendant but "nothing transpired."
The 6-foot-2 player out of Fresno State joined the NBA during the 1999-2000 season with Milwaukee. He signed with the Rockets in 2004 and averaged 13.3 points last season.
Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said the team learned of Alston's arrest Tuesday morning.
"Obviously, it is troubling that Rafer was again in a situation involving the police," Morey said in a statement. "We take these matters very seriously — the Rockets expect all employees to represent the organization in a first-class manner. Until more facts are gathered from all parties, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further."
