Artest agrees to deal with Lakers (AP)

Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. David Bauman, Artest's agent, told The Associated Press that the Houston Rockets forward has verbally agreed to play for the NBA champions next season. Bauman said the final details are still being worked out, but could be finished as early as Thursday night.

Bee swarm delays Astros' win over Padres (AP)

It was the kind of late-inning buzz that none of the players had experienced before. The Houston Astros -- who once had the "Killer Bs" -- beat the San Diego Padres 7-2 on Thursday, but only after waiting out a 52-minute delay in the top of the ninth inning caused when a swarm of bees took over left field at Petco Park.

Mayfield misses Daytona entry deadline (AP)

Jeremy Mayfield missed the deadline to enter this weekend's race after successfully fighting NASCAR to get back behind the wheel following a failed random drug test.

Kim shoots record 62 at Congressional (AP)

Anthony Kim is regaining a lot of his strength and a little of his swagger. He can only hope his record start Thursday at the AT&T National will allow him to get rid of some frustration built up from a year of not winning. Kim ran off eight birdies over his final 13 holes and set the course record at Congressional with an 8-under 62, giving him a two-shot lead over tournament host Tiger Woods and...

Venus, Serena make Wimbledon final again (AP)

Richard Williams refuses to watch his daughters Venus and Serena play each other. Says he simply can't bear to see it, no matter the setting, no matter the stage. So once again, the patriarch of the greatest sister act in tennis history is heading home to the United States before the Wimbledon final.

Blackhawks sign former Devils C Madden (AP)

The Chicago Blackhawks signed John Madden on Thursday, adding a veteran center who has spent his entire 10-year career with the New Jersey Devils. The 36-year-old Madden signed a one-year contract. Terms were not disclosed. Madden helped the Devils make the playoffs the last nine seasons, including Stanley Cup titles in 2000 and 2003.

Gordon: Bulls never made contract offer (AP)

A day after jumping to Detroit, Ben Gordon told a Chicago radio station Thursday that the Bulls never made a contract offer even though general manager Gar Forman claimed re-signing him was their No. 1 priority. "I mean they didn't pursue me at all. They didn't even make an offer so it was pretty much a one-man race," Gordon told ESPN Radio 1000 in Chicago.

Jets LB Pace gets 4-game drug suspension (AP)

The NFL suspended Jets linebacker Calvin Pace for four games without pay Thursday for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. Pace will miss New York's first four games of the season and be eligible to return for the Monday night game at Miami on Oct. 12. In a statement issued by the Jets, Pace said the ban is a result of him taking an over-the-counter dietary...

Galaxy's Donovan: Beckham a bad teammate (AP)

David Beckham has become a bad teammate on the Los Angeles Galaxy, according to Landon Donovan. "All that we care about at a minimum is that he committed himself to us," Donovan was quoted as saying in an excerpt of Grant Wahl's "The Beckham Experiment," scheduled for publication July 14.

All 180 Tour riders undergo blood tests (AP)

Cycling's governing body says all 180 riders expected to start the Tour de France -- plus one -- have undergone planned pre-race blood tests. The UCI said nine riders from each of the 20 teams were tested Thursday along with Quick Step sprint star Tom Boonen. The Belgian rider has appealed to French sports authorities in hopes of overturning a ban by Tour organizers after Boonen tested positive...