Carl Brizzi for Prosecutor

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana Pacers guard Stephen Jackson is scheduled to be in court Thursday morning after he was charged Wednesday with a felony count of criminal recklessness following a fight that happened outside an Indianapolis strip club last week.

The Marion County prosecutor also charged Jackson with misdemeanor counts of battery and disorderly conduct in connection with Friday morning's incident, in which police said he fought with a group of men, fired a gun and was struck by a car in the parking lot of Club Rio.

Teammates Jamaal Tinsley, Marquis Daniels and Jimmie Hunter also were at the club, but were not charged.

Affidavit: Jackson Fired Shots Before And After Car Struck Him

According to a probable cause affidavit, Jackson initially told police that he fired some shots into the air after a car struck him, sending him tumbling over the hood.

However, he later told police that he fired the gun into the air before and after the car struck him, according to the affidavit.

"Firing the shots in the air at that point is criminal recklessness," Brizzi said. "Those bullets, once they come up, have to come down, and they come down at least 90 miles per hour, and they do absolutely have the ability to take someone's life."

Prosecutors said Jackson was charged with battery because he allegedly kicked a man while he was on the ground.

Jackson originally told police he was punched, but later said he was not, prosecutors said. No one was reported to have been shot.

According to court documents, one of the Pacers claimed the confrontation began when a man boasted that he was a pimp and said none of the Pacers at the club had $500. Irritation grew over the amount of attention that the club's dancers were giving two groups of people -- one being the Pacers and their friends, and the other being the boaster and another man -- 6News' Derrik Thomas reported.

A fight began after the boaster, identified as Quentin Willford, also known as "Fingers," followed the Pacers out of the club, according to the affidavit.

Two Others Charged

Two people besides Jackson were charged in the fight. Quentin Willford's cousin, Deon Willford, 23, who police said hit Jackson with a car, faces felony counts of criminal recklessness and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, and a misdemeanor count of driving without a license. Deon Willford was arrested Tuesday.

Another man, Raymel Mattox, was charged with misdemeanor counts of battery, disorderly conduct and marijuana possession. Prosecutors said Mattox -- one of Tinsley's friends -- started the fight by striking Quentin Willford.

In charging information, prosecutors said Jackson kicked Quentin Willford. Jackson told police that Quentin Willford started the brawl.

Jackson Was On Probation For Detroit Fight

The felony count against Jackson carries a prison term of six months to three years.

Jackson was already on probation for his role in a 2004 brawl with Detroit Pistons fans in Michigan, and Brizzi said Jackson could be ordered to serve three months in jail if authorities in Detroit determine the new charges violate his probation.

The probation had been scheduled to end in September, but a court ordered him to serve an extra year of probation because he did not complete the terms of his sentence, prosecutors in Michigan said.

Bird: Jackson 'Knows It's A Major Embarrassment' For Team

The Pacers on Wednesday said they hoped for a quick resolution to the latest case through the judicial system and stressed that Jackson is innocent until proven guilty.

Larry Bird, the Pacers' president of basketball operations, said he had spoken with Jackson and the player was upset by the charges.

"He knows it's a major embarrassment for the franchise," Bird said. "This is a big blow for Stephen. He didn't expect this."

NBA spokesman Tim Frank said the league was monitoring the situation and would do its own investigation. Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh said the NBA typically lets players continue to play until such cases are resolved.

Coach Rick Carlisle said he expected Jackson to practice Thursday and he could play Saturday when Indiana hosts Utah in an exhibition game. Jackson was not expected to play in Wednesday night's preseason game against New Jersey.

Walsh said he found the incident, and others in the Pacers' recent past, "heartbreaking."

"At a certain time when I thought we had a good franchise I was proud of that. But that's taken quite a hit the past three years," Walsh said.

Jackson returned to training camp Tuesday with stitches in his lip and scrapes and bruises. Prosecutors said all of the injuries were caused by the car hitting him.

On Tuesday, Jackson apologized for the fight, saying he was "happy to be alive."

Copyright 2006 by TheIndyChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.