Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

Various reports out Wednesday said that Boston Celtics guard Sebastian Telfair had left the preseason game at Madison Square Garden to view a police lineup after he had a $50,000 chain stolen from his neck outside a New York City nightclub on Monday night.

The “club" was also believed to be the same place where rapper Fabolous (yes that is how he spells it) was shot in the leg later on that night.

Sebastian Telfair put the bed the speculation about the events of Monday night.

The Celtics flew to New York on Monday afternoon in preparation for Tuesday night’s game against the New York Knicks.

Telfair was at Justin’s restaurant, not a club, having dinner with his fiancee around 10 p.m. when he went outside alone to move his car and had his chain stolen from him.

He did not confirm or deny the value of the chain.

The Coney Island, New York, native said he was back in his hotel room before the later incident involving Fabolous took place.

The Celtics released this statement on Wednesday regarding the incident: “Sebastian Telfair has told us that he was the victim of a robbery outside Justin's on Monday evening and left the establishment immediately thereafter. He further told us he has no knowledge of any incidents that occurred after his departure. He provided what information he has to the New York Police Department. The police have indicated that Sebastian fully cooperated with all requests regarding the investigation.

Prior to the Celtics-Nets game last night, executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge and head coach Doc Rivers confirmed that the team only became aware of the robbery on Tuesday and agreed that it was best to have Telfair go talk to police during Tuesday’s game instead of taking time out of the regular season.

The Celtics said that initially they wanted to protect Telfair and keep the situation from being a distraction to the team, so they originally attributed his absence in the second half to his being sick.

Asked whether he may consider using security or a body guard, Telfair said it may be a possibility.

“There’s nothing positive to take out of the situation, Telfair said. “I’m just happy to here right now, happy that I can move forward from this and continue playing basketball."

Odds and ends

The Celtics decided to rest Wally Szczerbiak last night, but Paul Pierce did play 30 minutes and scored 18 points. … Delonte West (toe), Theo Ratliff (back), and Brian Scalabrine (left shoulder) were unavailable in last night’s preseason game. … Among those who made the best of their playing time were Tony Allen and rookie Leon Powe. Allen had 11 points, three steals, and five rebounds in 19 minutes. Powe added 11 points and 15 rebounds. … Doc Rivers said the team expects to make their first cuts of the preseason on Friday.