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Jul 10, 2009 - 9:02 PM By DAN PIERINGER STATS Writer

Detroit (2-7) at Connecticut (5-5), 7:00 p.m. EDT

It's been a long and disappointing season for the defending WNBA champion Detroit Shock. As frustrating as it's been, it could get worse if leading scorer Deanna Nolan misses time with a hamstring injury.

The league-worst Shock hope Nolan is healthy enough to return to the lineup as they try again for their first road win and first victory against the Eastern Conference on Saturday night when they visit the Connecticut Sun.

Detroit (2-7)'s latest title defense has gotten off to a tumultuous start. After winning their third championship in six years last fall, the Shock have had to deal with injuries, suspensions, the departure of coach Bill Laimbeer and the growing pains that have come with the hiring of first-time head coach Rick Mahorn.

Nolan's injury is the latest blow. The ninth-year guard, leading Detroit with 13.7 points per game, left Sunday's game against Connecticut in the third quarter with a pulled right hamstring. She's listed as day-to-day.

Without Nolan and key reserve Plenette Pierson (shoulder surgery), the Shock suffered a 95-92 overtime loss at home to the Sun (5-5). Katie Smith scored a season-high 28 points and rookie Shavonte Zellous added 20 off the bench as Detroit recorded its highest point total of the year, but the Shock also gave up at least 95 points for the second time in four games.

"It's frustrating," Smith said. "This whole season has been."

That defeat dropped Detroit to 0-6 against teams from the East, and 1-5 overall since Mahorn took over for Laimbeer, who's looking for a job in the NBA. The Shock are also 0-4 on the road.

Despite his team's struggles, Mahorn saw some good things Sunday.

"It was a great effort (from) Katie. That's what we've been looking for," Mahorn told the Shock's official Web site. "She came out and she really carried this team on her shoulders tonight. Like I said, we just needed a couple stops and we'd be talking (about) a win right now."

Sandrine Gruda led the Sun with 23 points at Detroit, and Erin Phillips and Asjha Jones added 19 and 18, respectively, as Connecticut delivered its best offensive performance of the year.

The Sun weren't nearly as effective on that end of the court in a 72-67 loss at Atlanta on Tuesday night. They shot 38.2 percent from the field, missed 14 of 17 3-point attempts and committed 20 turnovers - more than eight more than their previous season average.

"We turned over the ball and it hurt us," Connecticut coach Mike Thibault said after his team's miscues led to 18 points for the Dream. "We lead the league in fewest turnovers. ... Tonight, that area hurt us."

Connecticut had 12 turnovers in Sunday's overtime win in Detroit.