Thabo Sefolosha Sues 5 NYPD Officers ... Over Violent 2015 Arrest

Atlanta Hawks player Thabo Sefolosha has filed a lawsuit against the 5 NYPD officers involved in his violent arrest outside of a NYC nightclub last year ... and he's playing the race card.

Sefolosha suffered a broken fibula and ligament damage when he and teammate Pero Antic were taken into custody outside 1 OAK on April 8th ... after another NBA player had been stabbed in a separate incident.

31-year-old Sefolosha was initially charged with obstructing justice, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest -- but he took the case to trial and was eventually exonerated.

Now, he's looking to make the officers and the City of NY pay -- and while he hasn't said a specific number, he previously filed docs allowing him to sue for up to $50 million.

In his suit, Sefolosha accuses the NYPD officers of false arrest, excessive force, malicious prosecution and false imprisonment.