Police SeekThree Men in Pierce Stabbing

B O S T O N, Sept. 27 -- Arrest warrants have been issued for three men inconnection with the stabbing of Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce, alaw enforcement source said today.

The identities of the suspects weren’t immediately known. Thewarrants were issued Tuesday night, but no arrests had been made bynoon today, according to the source, who spoke on the conditionof anonymity.

Pierce was stabbed multiple times at a Boston nightclub earlyMonday. Police had been investigating associates of the rap groupMade Men, but the source didn’t know if the suspects had ties tothe group.

The group has denied any involvement.

Rapper Questioned

Pierce was listed in good condition Wednesday at New EnglandMedical Center as he recovered from stab wounds to his face, neckand back. He could be released from the hospital as early asFriday.

The Boston Globe, citing a police source, reported today that police want to question Michael McNeill, 27, a rapper with ahistory of arrests and ties to Made Men dating back at least fouryears.

Two years ago, McNeill recorded songs with Made Men’s Raymond“Ray Dog” Scott for the record Wiseguys, a collaboration of rappers and former rivals from Boston street gangs.

“He’s [McNeill] from the industry, but he’s not one of Made Men,” Leroy Peoples, an associate of the rap group, told theGlobe.

Motive Unknown

Police have given no motive for the attack on Pierce.

Police said there was some sort of fight about 1:10 a.m. at theBuzz Club, but it was unclear what role, if any, Pierce played.

Pierce, 22, had surgery Monday to repair his damaged lung.Officials at the New England Medical Center termed the other stabwounds to Pierce’s face, neck and back as mostly superficial.Pierce was able to walk into the hospital’s emergency room after beingdriven there by friends.

The 6-foot-7, 220-pound Pierce played forward and guard lastseason for a team trying to break a streak of five seasons withoutmaking the playoffs. He averaged 19.5 points and ranked second inthe NBA in steals with 2.08 a game.