ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Falcons rookie star James Pearce Jr. was arrested near Miami on Saturday night after fleeing officers and then crashing his car following what police said was a domestic dispute with WNBA player Rickea Jackson.
Pearce, the first-round pick who led the Falcons in sacks and was third in NFL defensive rookie of the year votingg, was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center after Doral police were summoned to investigate a reported domestic dispute between a man and a woman.
According to jail records, Pearce is facing charges of two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon as well as aggravated stalking and fleeing or eluding police with lights or siren. Bond was not immediately set on all the charges.
The Falcons said in a statement they are aware of the arrest.
“We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr. in Miami," the Falcons said in a statement provided to The Associated Press. "We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time.”
WPLG TV in Miami reported Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez confirmed the dispute was between Pearce and Jackson, a forward for the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks. Jackson was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft and averaged 14.7 points in 38 games, including 37 starts, in the 2025 season. Jackson played for Tennessee and Mississippi State.
Pearce, an edge rusher from Tennessee, was the No. 26 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft as the Falcons emphasized the pass rush. Pearce had 10 1/2 sacks and his 45 quarterback pressures set a team record for a rookie. Pearce had 26 tackles and 16 quarterback hits. He forced a fumble and recovered a fumble while playing in all 17 games.
The Falcons finished 8-9, leading to the firings of coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot. The Falcons hired Kevin Stefanski as coach and Ian Cunningham as general manager.
AP Sports Writer Maura Carey in Atlanta contributed to this report.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
FILE - Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson (2) dribbles during the first half of a WNBA basketball game on Aug. 29, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)
FILE - Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. (27) is interviewed after an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, on Jan. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)
New Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski, left, speaks as Atlanta Falcons President of Football Matt Ryan looks on during a NFL news conference, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James had 20 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds to help the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors 105-99 on Saturday night.
Los Angeles won its third straight game despite not have superstar guard Luka Doncic after he sustained a mild hamstring strain Thursday night, and center DeAndre Ayton was a late scratch because of a knee injury.
Luke Kennard had 10 points in his Lakers debut after being acquired in a trade from Atlanta on Thursday, including a key corner 3-pointer and finding Jarred Vanderbilt underneath the basket for a dunk as part of a late 11-0 run.
Rui Hachimura had 18 points, Austin Reaves added 16, and Marcus Smart had 15.
Moses Moody had 25 points to lead the Warriors, who have lost four of their past six games. Stephen Curry missed his third straight game because of a knee injury.
James and the Lakers found their offense in the third quarter, starting with a 10-2 run that included Reaves' free throw before the period began after Draymond Green was called for a technical foul at the end of the first half.
James finished with 12 points in the third, netting two 3-pointers and two more three-point plays, helping the Lakers to an eight-point lead.
The Warriors struggled with their long range shooting for much of the game before finally finding some touch early in the fourth quarter to put a scare in the home team before the Lakers pulled away for good. Golden State ended up 14 of 51 (27.5%) from behind the arc.
Warriors: Host Memphis on Monday night.
Lakers: Host Oklahoma City on Monday night.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard (10) reacts to a play during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) goes up for basket under defense by Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) misses a basket under defense by Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake LaRavia during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) stands on the court during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) watches as forward Maxi Kleber (14) is fouled by Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
