PHOENIX — Tamika Catchings fell one rebound shy of the first triple-double in WNBA Finals history and the Indiana Fever beat the Phoenix Mercury 93-84 on Thursday night to square the best-of-five series at a game apiece.
Catchings had 19 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds to help the Fever steal home-court advantage in the series with the next two games in Indianapolis, beginning with Game 3 on Sunday.
Before the game, Marynell Meadors and forward Angel McCoughtry of the Atlanta Dream were honored as the WNBA coach and rookie of the year, respectively.
Cavs’ West returns to practice
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Guard Delonte West worked out with his Cleveland Cavaliers teammates after missing the first two days of training camp.
“He had a great practice,” said Cavaliers coach Mike Brown, who said the absences were unexcused. “It was great to have him on the floor.”
West declined to meet with reporters, as did general manager Danny Ferry. A team spokesman said Ferry will address West’s situation Saturday at the team scrimmage at the University of Akron.
West, who averaged 11.7 points last season, could face a league suspension after he was recently arrested for gun possession in Maryland.
• Boston Celtics forward Bill Walker is expected to miss six to eight weeks after surgery on his right knee.
Shanahan, Devils part ways
NEWARK, N.J. — Forward Brendan Shanahan left the New Jersey Devils after being told he would not be a part of their top three lines.
“I have decided not to continue with the New Jersey Devils for my 22nd NHL season,” Shanahan said, adding the decision was mutual and amicable.
Shanahan, who will turn 41 in January, said he plans the spend the next few weeks with his family, a time he will probably use to decide whether he wants to play or retire. He has 656 career goals.
• The Dallas Stars signed defenseman Stephane Robidas to a $13.2 million, four-year contract extension through the 2013-14 season.
Footnotes.
Penn State gave basketball coach Ed DeChellis a three- year contract extension, rewarding him after the Nittany Lions won the NIT title last season. The deal keeps DeChellis under contract at his alma mater through the 2013-14 season.
• Coach Louis Orr and Bowling Green agreed to a two-year extension through the 2013-14 season.
• Tennessee forward Emmanuel Negedu will spend time at the Cleveland Clinic to consult with doctors about his health. The 20- year-old sophomore was revived by the Vols’ training staff after he collapsed during a workout Monday.
• Los Angeles Galaxy star David Beckham said he is confident an inflamed right Achilles tendon will not keep him from playing tonight against the Chicago Fire.
• Swiss skier Didier Defago is expected to miss the opening race of the World Cup season because of a broken right thumb.
• Andy Murray has withdrawn from the Japan Open because of a wrist injury. The Associated Press
