July 20, 2007: Scoreboard | Video Play of the Day | Photo Gallery | Today in the WNBA Archive

PHOTO OF THE DAY Los Angeles Sparks' Sidney Spencer posted career highs in points (24) and rebounds (14) in L.A.'s 87-77 win over the Mercury on Friday. Barry Gossage/NBAE/Getty Images

Detroit Wins in Battle of the Best Shock Cool Off Fever: Katie Smith netted a season-high 28 points to help the Shock top the Fever, 89-80, and pull even with Indiana for the best record in the WNBA. The Fever entered Friday's matchup winners of six straight, but after losing MVP candidate Tamika Catchings to an injured foot in the third quarter, the squad was unable to stay with the Shock. Detroit, which fell to Indiana in the previous meeting between these two powerhouses, led by as many as nine and never trailed this time around. Detroit shot 52 percent from the field and dominated the boards, outrebounding Indiana by a count of 35 to 24. Smith finished a sizzling 7-of-12 from the floor and a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line, while All-Star Deanna Nolan contributed 19 points on 9-of-13 shooting. After dropping three straight, Detroit has now reeled off five consecutive victories and looks to be returning to its championship form. Tammy Sutton-Brown finished with 16 points in the loss. Detroit and Indiana each now own a record of 16-5 and will square off two more times this season. ALSO MAKING HEADLINES ... Sun Continue to Shine: After struggling for much of the season, the Connecticut Sun have suddenly become a force to be reckoned with. After cruising past the Storm on Friday night, 76-58, the Sun have now won a season-high five straight games and sit at 11-11 on the season. Connecticut used a balanced offensive attack to topple the Storm, with four players reaching double figures in scoring. Lindsay Whalen netted 19 points to go along with her six rebounds and five steals, while Katie Douglas scored 18. Asjha Jones also contributed 17 points and ripped down 10 rebounds. For the Storm, who have now dropped three straight, Lauren Jackson finished with 19 points and 14 boards. Sue Bird struggled in her return to the lineup, hitting only 3-of-14 from the floor to finish with seven points. Whalen WHAT THEY'RE SAYING “Anytime you can go on the road and get a win, especially at the Garden, it's huge. It's a great morale booster to keep us confident, and know that we can win games if we stick together and play tough basketball and recover from our lapses.” -- Houston head coach Karleen Thompson on the Comets' performance against the Liberty on Friday. Led by Tina Thompson and Tamecka Dixon, Houston captured an 80-74 victory over New York. Thompson

WHO'S HOT Katie Smith, Shock 28 pts, 7-12 FG, 10-10 FT 89-80 win at Fever Svetlana Abrosimova, Lynx 20 pts, 8-11 FG, 4-5 3-pt FG, 91-87 OT loss vs. Mystics Deanna Nolan, Shock 19 pts, 9-13 FG 89-80 win at Fever

Smith

WHO'S NOT Sue Bird, Storm 3-14 FG, 1-7 3-pt FG, 7 pts 76-58 loss at Sun Alana Beard, Mystics 3-12 FG, 1-5 3-pt FG, 15 pts 91-87 OT win at Lynx Janel McCarville, Liberty 2-8 FG, 4 pts 80-74 loss vs. Comets

Bird

WHO'S ON TAP Saturday's Games ... Mystics-Shock, 7:30 p.m. ET Fever-Sky, 8 p.m. ET on NBA TV

Nolan

Milton-Jones

FILLING THE BOX STORE DeLisha Milton-Jones has accomplished many things in her illustrious career. She can now add another achievement to her list as she recorded her 3,000 career point in Friday's 91-87 overtime win against the Lynx. Milton-Jones finished with 17 points, but also pulled down nine rebounds, recorded six steals and blocked two shots to help the Mystics capture their fourth straight win. Seimone Augustus almost single-handedly kept Minnesota in the game, pouring in a career-high 33 points. Svetlana Abrosimova added 20 points and eight rebounds in the defeat.

COMING UP CLUTCH In her 11th season, Tina Thompson has shown no signs of slowing down. Averaging career highs in points and assists this season, Thompson has continued to show why she is one of the game's best. In Houston's 80-74 win over the Liberty on Friday, the forward scored 26, including eight in the final quarter. New York threatened late when Erin Thorn drained a 3-pointer with 4:16 to go to cut the lead to one, but Thompson then hit a layup and a jumper to put a halt to the comeback.

Thompson