Puka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium
Puka Nacua on Jan. 10, 2026 in North Carolina.
Rams star Puka Nacua has entered a luxury rehabilitation facility in California amid an ongoing assault lawsuit and allegations he made antisemitic comments
Nacua "takes responsibility for his well-being" and "voluntarily entered a holistic care facility to focus on his personal growth," his lawyer said
The wide receiver "will compete the program in plenty of time to be involved in all of the Rams" practices, per his attorney
Los Angeles Rams star Puka Nacua has entered a rehabilitation facility amid allegations of assault and antisemitism.
The wide receiver, 24, checked into a luxury treatment center in Malibu, Calif., his attorney Levi McCathern told NFL.com's Ian Rapoport and The California Post on Wednesday, April 1.
McCathern said in a statement to Rapoport, "Puka takes responsibility for his well-being and increasing his performance during the off-season. So, in early March — before any temporary restraining order was filed by Madison Atiabi and subsequently denied by the Court — Puka voluntarily entered a holistic care facility to focus on his personal growth."
Puka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams during warm up before the NFL 2025 game
Puka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams during warm up before the NFL 2025 game
Nacua "is committed to using this time constructively so that he can return in the best possible position — both personally and professionally — to continue contributing to his team and the game he loves," McCathern continued, noting, "He will complete the program in plenty of time to be involved in all of the Rams OTAs [preseason practices]."
McCathern said the NFL star is "also deeply grateful for the support he has received from his family, friends, Coach McVay and his teammates," in the statement to Rapoport.
Nacua's attorney concluded the statement by saying it's "unfortunate that a trivial lawsuit has drawn attention to Puka during a time when he is focused on becoming a better overall person," and said he's "really excited" to see what Nacua's "future holds."
Nacua, through his attorney, has denied allegations from Atiabi that he bit her and used antisemitic slurs on a New Year's Eve night out, after she filed a lawsuit and a request for a temporary restraining order in March. Her request for a restraining order was denied by a Los Angeles judge, but the lawsuit is still in progress.
McCathern told the Post that Nacua's decision to enter treatment is not solely a response to the restraining order filed against him, and that he was "in there a substantial period of time before any of these allegations broke with Madison."
Nacua and McCathern "have talked" since he entered the facility, according to the Post, and McCathern said the NFL star is "in great spirits" as he receives treatment. “I think he’s doing absolutely fabulous. I’m just really excited for how he’s going to look next year. For as great as he was, I think he’s going to be even better going forward," McCathern said.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Sofi Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Inglewood, CA. (
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Sofi Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Inglewood, CA. (
According to Atiabi's lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, she was at dinner with Nacua on the evening of Dec. 31, 2025 when the NFL star allegedly said, “F--- the Jews.” The alleged comment was the “first act in what became an escalating course of rude or vulgar, threatening, violent and harassing conduct,” the woman claimed in the complaint.
She also accused Nacua of biting "her thumb so forcefully that she screamed in acute pain" and biting her shoulder, "breaking skin, leaving a circular imprint of his teeth," per the lawsuit.
“Let’s be clear about what this case is — and what it is not,” McCathern told USA Today in response to the allegations. “This matter is not sexual in nature, nor does it involve any allegation of domestic violence. If it did, the filings would look very different. They do not. It also doesn’t involve any elements of antisemitism.”
PEOPLE has reached out to McCathern for comment. The Los Angeles Rams said they do not have a comment, when contacted by PEOPLE.