Sprained knee sidelines Lakers' Odom

Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom will miss at least the next month because of a sprained right knee. Odom was diagnosed yesterday by team orthopedist Steve Lombardo, a day after the 6-foot-10-inch star was hurt in a 102-94 victory at Houston. Odom was injured in the first quarter when he landed awkwardly after Shane Battier blocked his shot on a drive . . . New Orleans Hornets owner George Shinn said the team will return to New Orleans after this season, despite Oklahoma City's support of the Hornets. The Hornets sold out 18 of their 36 games at the Ford Center last season and ranked 11th in the league in attendance, one season after finishing last in that category while in New Orleans . . . Given the reaction regarding a change in basketballs this season, NBA commissioner David Stern said players will have a say in future changes. Stern said he didn't expect all the criticism the new ball received, but on Monday he announced the league would return to using a leather ball Jan. 1 . . . Paul Arizin, an early pioneer of the jump shot who led the Philadelphia Warriors to the 1956 NBA championship and was chosen one of the 50 greatest NBA players, died Tuesday night at his home in suburban Philadelphia. He was 78. A Hall of Famer who was cut from his high school team, Arizin died in his sleep, according to a statement from Villanova, where Arizin had an outstanding college career.

The Charlotte Sting franchise was turned over to the WNBA after Charlotte Bobcats' officials said they would no longer operate the team. The league is now in negotiations to sell the team, one of the league's original franchises. Fred Whitfield, sports and entertainment president of the Bobcats, said since management was restructured, "we have made the decision to focus all of our resources and efforts on the operation of the Charlotte Bobcats." The Sting made the championship series only once in their 10 seasons and have suffered from declining attendance . . . The Minnesota Lynx hired former Timberwolves assistant Don Zierden as head coach . . . A former University of Cincinnati basketball player was shot and killed after breaking into a home, authorities said from Springfield, Ohio. Jonathon Carson, 29, played in 17 games for the Bearcats during the 1997-98 season.

Barbaro's surgeon said the Kentucky Derby winner could be released from the hospital "in the not so distant future." Dean Richardson, chief surgeon at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center, declined to offer a timetable for the horse's release. "His departure from here depends on many things. In my mind's eye, he can leave in the not so distant future," Richardson said. Richardson, who has been cautious in his updates since Barbaro was admitted for what doctors described as "life-threatening injuries," continued to sound optimistic, saying the horse is still making good progress . . . The New York Racing Association, trailing in the campaign to run New York's thoroughbred racing, took legal action to keep the Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga race tracks even if it loses the state franchise. NYRA sued the state over its attempt to award the franchise for the next 20 years to another private organization. NYRA contends the state's plan is unconstitutional because NYRA owns the tracks . . . The New England Turf Writers Association selected its champions for 2006. Divisional champions and other award winners include Bedazzler (2-year-old filly), Disco Fox (2-year-old colt), Return Trick (3-year-old filly), Tropodaro (3-year-old colt), By Grace Alone (older female), and Bodgiteer (older male). Outstanding jockey was Dyn Panell and outstanding trainer was Paul Thornon. Bill Perry received the Sam McCracken Memorial Award for lifetime achievement. The Horse of the Year winner will be announced at next summer's awards dinner.

The French anti-doping lab, whose procedures are being challenged by American cyclist Floyd Landis, is getting upgraded security to protect its computer systems against hackers. The computers at the Chatenay-Malabry laboratory were breached last month by hackers who stole data and allegedly sent out letters to top officials in a bid to discredit the lab. French Anti-Doping Agency president Pierre Bordry said Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin's defense advisory council agreed security must be improved at the lab to make the computer systems more secure . . . The Spanish Vuelta route will include three mountain top finishes and the return of the punishing Lagos de Covadenga ascent. The three-week race starts Sept. 1 in the port city of Vigo, in the northwest province of Galicia. The finale of the 21-stage race will be the traditional finish in Madrid.

Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Sr.'s arrest last summer on charges of resisting and disobeying police resulted from confusion, Unser's attorney told a jury in Albuquerque. Unser, on trial on the misdemeanor charges, was arrested Aug. 9 near his home after authorities cordoned off a road set up as part of a SWAT situation. Unser's brother, Bobby, arrived later at the roadblock and also was arrested after confronting police. His case is pending . . . The Los Angeles Kings activated defensemen Brent Sopel and Oleg Tverdovsky from injured reserve and assigned defenseman Peter Harrold to Manchester of the AHL. Sopel missed 18 games with a foot injury. Tverdovsky was out 12 games because of a groin injury . . . Zina Garrison received a one-year contract extension as captain of the Federation Cup team. The US team is 3-3 under Garrison and has not won since 2000 . . . The 2007 MLS Cup will be played at RFK Stadium, bringing the title game to Washington for the third time, an official within the league told the Associated Press. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the formal announcement will be made today in a news conference at RFK.