Shock capitalize on Cash, defeat Mystics

Chamique Holdsclaw’s return to the Washington Mystics wasn’t enough to overcome Swin Cash and the Detroit Shock.

Cash scored a team-high 20 points in Detroit’s 73-65 victory over the Mystics in Washington.

The 6-foot-2 forward also had six rebounds and five assists.

“That’s her job. She’s going to get a triple double one day,” said Detroit coach Bill Laimbeer. “I think she’s the most valuable player in the league right now.”

Holdsclaw left the team after Friday’s win over Minnesota and didn’t travel to Charlotte on Saturday or practice with the team until Wednesday’s pre-game drills. She refused to talk to the media about her disappearance.

Holdsclaw didn’t start, but came off the bench 2:34 into the game. She looked rusty, making only three of 13 from the field and finishing with 12 points in 30 minutes.

Sting 63, Fever 53: At Indianapolis, rookie reserve Nicole Powell scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead Charlotte past Indiana.

Allison Feaster and Tammy Sutton-Brown also had 14 points for the Sting as Indiana lost its fifth consecutive game. Sutton-Brown also contributed six blocked shots.

Tamika Catchings led Indiana with 13 points and eight rebounds.

Lynx 66, Silver Stars 53: At Minneapolis, Tamika Williams scored 13 points to lead a balanced attack, and Minnesota defeated San Antonio.

Svetlana Abrosimova replaced Smith in the starting lineup and contributed nine points and six rebounds in her first start of the season. Rookie Nicole Ohlde chipped in 10 points.