Newsmakers

Cleared New Orleans Hornets guard Eric Gordon, who has not played this NBA season because of knee surgery, has been cleared for contact practice. No timetable has been established for his return. Hornets general manager Dell Demps said Gordon would begin full contact practice with the team next week and officials would monitor his progress.

Suspended Forward DeMarcus Cousins has been suspended indefinitely by the Sacramento Kings for “unprofessional behavior and conduct detrimental to the team.” Cousins and Kings coach Keith Smart exchanged words in the locker room during halftime of Sacramento’s 97-85 NBA loss at the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night.

Waived The Dallas Mavericks have waived Derek Fisher, a move made at the request of the veteran NBA guard. Fisher released a statement saying his recovery time from a strained knee will be about two weeks, and that it was difficult for him to be away from his family.

Agreed Free agent Cody Ross and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a three-year contract with a club option for 2016. He batted .267 with 22 home runs and 81 RBIs last season for the Red Sox.

• Adam Greenberg who returned to the major leagues for one at-bat in October more than seven years after he was beaned in his debut, agreed to a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles and will have a chance to earn a job at their Triple-A farm team.

Benched UCLA safety Tevin McDonald will not play in the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl after violating a team policy, Coach Ji m Mora said. McDonald tested positive for marijuana, according to a person familiar with the situation.

• Starting linebacker Marquis Spruill will not play “a significant portion” of the Pinstripe Bowl against West Virginia after he was arrested this month.

Withdrawn Two- time Grand Slam runner-up Vera Zvonareva has withdrawn from the Australian Open in January with a right shoulder injury.