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Shock-Silver Stars Preview

Jun 10, 2010 - 9:40 PM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Tulsa (3-4) at San Antonio (2-5), 8:00 p.m. EDT

The absence of Becky Hammon the last two games certainly hasn't helped the San Antonio Silver Stars, who have dropped four in a row. The club hopes she can return Friday night against the Tulsa Shock as it tries to stop the slide.

The last three losses in San Antonio's skid came by an average of 21.0 points. Hammon sat out the last two due to an injured right quadriceps.

Her absence has been a blow to the Silver Stars (2-5), last in the WNBA at 70.4 points a contest. Hammon is third on the team with 13.0 points per game.

San Antonio is coming off an 81-68 loss to Connecticut on Sunday.

"I thought we fought well, but we got behind and were outmanned," associate head coach Olaf Lange said.

Lange was leading the team in place of his wife, Sandy Brondello, who expects to be back on the bench Friday after giving birth.

Hammon could join her coach in returning, as Brondello said after practice Tuesday that she anticipates the guard will play against Tulsa.

"She's such a big part of the team," Brondello said. "It's tough when you have your main player out, but that's the hand we've been dealt. ... She needed the break. If we didn't give her that break she's going to carry an injury for a long time."

The Silver Stars have not lost five straight since a six-game slide from June 30-Aug. 8, 2006.

San Antonio might have an easier time scoring against Tulsa (3-4), which is giving up 86.2 points per game. The Shock and Silver Stars split two meetings last season, with each winning at home. Hammon averaged 23.0 points in those contests.

Tulsa fell 95-70 at Chicago on Saturday after winning its previous two. Shanna Crossley scored 20 points and Scholanda Robinson had 15, but the Shock were unable to rally after the Sky jumped out to an early lead.

Tulsa got within five points in the third quarter before Chicago pulled away.

"We couldn't stop any of them," Crossley said. "They were knocking down shots left and right and we just ran out of gas."

The defeat opened a four-game trip for the Shock, who have lost three straight in San Antonio.