Seattle ? Sue Bird led Seattle with 23 points, and Lauren Jackson returned from a three-game absence to score 15, helping the Storm snap a three-game losing streak with an 86-67 victory over the Shock on Wednesday.

Jackson, the league MVP, was activated before the game after resting a sprained foot and visiting her ill grandmother in Australia.

Betty Lennox added 15 points. Cheryl Ford led Detroit with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Swin Cash added 15 points and Deanna Nolan had 14.

Sting 72, Lynx 68

Minneapolis — Charlotte Smith-Taylor and Allison Feaster each scored 17 points to lead Charlotte. Dawn Staley had 10 assists and made two free throws in the final seconds for the Sting (14-15), who shot 54 percent. Nicole Ohlde had 19 points and eight rebounds, and Svetlana Abrosimova added 15 points for the Lynx (16-13).

Mercury 72, Sparks 58

Phoenix — Rookie Diana Taurasi had 21 points and eight assists to lead Phoenix over Los Angeles, snapping the Sparks’ seven-game winning streak. Penny Taylor and Anna DeForge had 17 points apiece for Phoenix (16-13), which moved into a tie with Minnesota for third place in the Western Conference with its fourth straight win. Lisa Leslie had 20 points and 14 rebounds — her 16th double-double — for the Sparks, who have the best record in the WNBA (21-8).