Report: Kristaps Porzingis Under Investigation by NYPD for 2018 Rape Allegation

New York police are investigating an allegation of rape against Dallas Mavericks star Kristaps Porzingis, according to the New York Post's Tina Moore.

A woman reportedly told authorities the sexual assault happened on Feb. 7, 2018, shortly after Porzingis suffered a torn ACL in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

The New York Knicks traded Porzingis to the Mavericks in January 2019. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com, all of the involved parties were aware of the allegation against him as trade negotiations were ongoing:

Porzingis played 11 minutes against the Bucks before going down with his injury. Upon returning to his apartment, he visited the woman, who lived in the same building, around 2 a.m. ET, she reportedly told police. Per Moore, she said he then invited her to his apartment, where he allegedly raped her.

ESPN.com's Tim MacMahon shared a statement from Porzingis' attorney denying the allegations and saying they made a referral to federal authorities in December "based on the accuser's extortionate demands":

Moore reported that the woman said she didn't come forward with the allegation earlier because Porzingis had offered her $68,000 "to pay for her brother's college tuition—but then reneged."

Moore also shared a statement from Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban: "We have been instructed by federal authorities not to comment."

The 23-year-old power forward hasn't returned to the court since tearing his ACL. Shortly after his trade to the Mavericks, Dallas shut him down for the season to continue his recovery.