Embiid scores 33, Maxey adds 29 and the 76ers beat the Suns 109-103 for 6th win in 7 games

PHOENIX (AP) — Joel Embiid scored 33 points, Tyrese Maxey added 29 and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the cold-shooting Phoenix Suns 109-103 on Saturday night.

The 76ers have won six of their last seven games, bouncing back from a 119-115 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. The Suns lost for the third time in four games, shooting just 11 of 46 (23.9%) from 3-point range.

Philadelphia led 81-71 going into the fourth quarter and pushed its advantage to 16 after holding Phoenix scoreless for the first three minutes of the fourth.

The Suns made things interesting in the final minutes, cutting it to 101-97 with 1:04 left on Devin Booker's two free throws, but Maxey responded with a stepback 3-pointer to keep the 76ers ahead.

Embiid grabbed nine rebounds, made four 3-pointers and was 11 of 13 on free throws, all while jawing for much of the game with Suns forward Dillon Brooks. Formr Sun Kelly Oubre Jr. finished with 18 points.

The Suns couldn't get the win despite Booker and Jalen Green returning to the lineup. Booker — who will play in his fifth All-Star game next week — missed seven games with a sprained ankle. He finished with 21 points and nine assists.

Green has been battling injuries all season and played in just his sixth game. He finished with eight points, playing 17 minutes while coming off the bench.

Brooks led the Suns with 28 points. Royce O'Neale had 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Mark Williams had 11 points and 11 rebounds.

The 76ers led 58-47 at halftime. The Suns had a brutal shooting start, making just 1 of 19 from 3-point range through 1 1/2 quarters before hitting three in a row.

76ers: At Portland on Monday night.

Suns: Host Dallas on Tuesday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) is fouled by Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin, front, as Suns center Mark Williams (15) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott, right, slaps hands with Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale celebrates his 3-pointer against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes (5) is fouled prior to the shot by Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) as Suns guard Jamaree Bouyea, left, looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, left, keeps the ball away from Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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)