All about Serena's dificult path to US Open final, Bell's return date, American Daly

The San Francisco 49ers traded outside linebacker Eli Harold to the Detroit Lions for a conditional seventh-round pick on Thursday, according to multiple reports.

Lions acquire OLB Harold from 49ers: reports

The San Francisco 49ers traded outside linebacker Eli Harold to the Detroit Lions for a conditional seventh-round pick on Thursday, according to multiple reports. "Life moves at you pretty fast," Harold posted Wednesday night on his Instagram story.

NBA notebook: Changes to shot clock, other rules reportedly likely

The NBA is expected to pass several rules changes for the 2018-19 season, including the shortening of the shot clock after an offensive rebound and tweaks to clear-path fouls and replay reviews, according to an ESPN report Thursday. Per ESPN, the league sent a memo to general managers and coaches detailing three unanimous recommendations from the competition committee, which will be voted on by the board of governors in late September. Each rule needs a two-third majority to be passed.

Serena handed tough path to U.S. Open final

Serena Williams, who is aiming for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title at this year's U.S. Open, was handed a difficult path to the final after being drawn on Thursday in the same quarter as older sister Venus and world number one Simona Halep.

#ThisMama is making her return to the US Open for the first time since having Olympia and I am stronger than ever thanks to all of the love and support you've all shown me! @Chase pic.twitter.com/6ds4rdJCWF

— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) August 22, 2018

Serena, a six-times champion in New York who is seeded 17th, will start her campaign against Polish world number 60 Magda Linette and could face Venus in the third round before a possible fourth-round showdown with Romanian top seed Halep.

MLB notebook: OF Holliday returns to the Rockies

Colorado called up former franchise star Matt Holliday from Triple-A Albuquerque, and he went 0-for-3 Thursday afternoon against the San Diego Padres in his first game with the Rockies since 2008. Colorado signed Holliday, 38, to a minor league deal at the end of July after he had spent the first several months of this season without a team. He batted fifth and started in left field on Thursday.

Bell's return date a mystery to teammates

One prominent member of the Pittsburgh Steelers said he is in the dark when it comes to Le'Veon Bell's next step. "I wish I knew," center Maurkice Pouncey told ESPN. "He's kind of kept to himself about it."

Green Bay Packers not shopping WR Cobb

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb is not on the trade block. One day after former NFL personnel man Mike Lombardi said Cobb was known to be available via trade in league circles, NFL Network countered to the contrary, reporting Cobb will be in Green Bay this season to play out the final year of his contract.

Knockout unlikely as Woods, Mickelson step into PPV ring

The rivalry between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, once among golf's most intense, is now more chilled than charged but TV executives are gambling the aging icons can still generate enough heat to turn a winner-takes-all $9 million showdown into a must-see event. Much like the Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather championship boxing fight, the Woods v Mickelson 18-hole duel in Las Vegas scheduled for the U.S. Thanksgiving weekend is one which will unfold with both men well past their prime.

NFL notebook: Giants, OBJ reportedly making progress

The New York Giants and Odell Beckham Jr. have made progress recently on what is expected to be a record-breaking extension, according to an ESPN report Thursday. Per the report, "there is reasonable optimism from both sides" that a deal can be reached before the Sept. 9 season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

American Daly rolls back the years to share lead in Prague

John Daly rolled back the years on Thursday with an error-free eight-under-par 64 in his opening round at the Czech Masters to grab a share of the lead with Ryder Cup hopeful Thomas Pieters, England's Callum Tarren, and Malaysia's Gavin Green. American Daly, a former British Open and U.S. PGA champion who has failed to make the cut in a major since 2012, started strongly at the Albatross Golf Resort with birdies on his first three holes before adding two more to turn in five under.

Honored by all the fan votes to have made it to the semi-finals! Couple more votes & winner revealed on Sunday! Go ahead...Vote 4 the #GripItnRipIt #9thAlternate #Mullet or that #PornStache from #1991 🏆 #100years #PGAChamp https://t.co/CO2wEs4OCh

— John Daly (@PGA_JohnDaly) August 11, 2018

Riley expects Haslem to return, will concentrate on Wade

Miami Heat President Pat Riley said Thursday he anticipates 38-year-old forward Udonis Haslem will return to the team and that he will ramp up his efforts to convince guard Dwyane Wade to come back, too. "I have a really good feeling that UD is going to be back," Riley told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel while making a public appearance Thursday. "There's not been any announcement on that. It's just a gut feeling about UD and what he wants to do."

(With inputs from Reuters)