Nolan scored 21 points and Cash added 18, nine rebounds and six assists as the Shock beat the Seattle Storm, 70-65, for just their third win in eight home games.
Cheryl Ford chipped in 12 points and eight rebounds and Ruth Riley had 10 and six for Detroit, which has won back-to-back contests after losing four in a row.
Detroit grabbed a 63-52 lead on Nolan's three-point play with 3:39 left, but Seattle pulled within 68-65 with 24 seconds remaining on a 3-pointer by Lauren Jackson. Nolan countered with a pair of free throws a second later to cap the scoring.
Sue Bird scored 21 points and Jackson collected 18 for the Storm, who shot just 32 percent (23-of-72) as they lost a season-high third straight.