by Sports Xchange

--G Tony Parker returned to the lineup Saturday night, a welcome sight for the Spurs, who benefitted from his 17 points and eight assists in 32 minutes.

Parker missed four of the previous five games with an ankle sprain. He tried to make an earlier return, but that just landed him back on the bench.

The Spurs entered the game on a three-game losing streak, including two in a row at home.

In the NBA, the plus-minus statistic can be skewed, but it can also demonstrate a player's value to his team. Saturday night was one of those times. Just how much do the Spurs miss Parker when he's unable to play? Against Washington, Parker finished a plus-31 in 32 minutes, meaning the Spurs outscored the Wizards by 31 points with Parker on the floor.

No other Spurs player recorded better than a plus-19.

--G Roger Mason Jr. is off to one of the slower starts that he can remember with his jump shot. Entering Saturday's game, Mason had connected on just 31.7 percent from the field and 23.5 percent from the 3-point line. Mason improved against Washington, hitting four of eight from the floor and three of five from long range.

He was sensational for the Spurs last season from long range when he shot a career-best 42.1 percent. Mason is also getting used to a new role on the retooled Spurs. He averaged 30.4 minutes a game last season, his first in San Antonio, but is getting just 18.6 minutes this season.

"It's funny, I came into this season all about defense, all about all the other things and I forgot my jump shots," Mason said. "You keep plugging, you keep working on your game."

He's heating up in the past two games, draining five of eight 3-pointers and scoring in double figures (12 and 11 points) for just the second and third times this season.

--G George Hill is finding it difficult to stay out of foul trouble. He fouled out for the first time in his career in Thursday's loss to Utah. Foul trouble is big trouble when starting P Tony Parker is sidelined with an injury.

Hill has been whistled for a team-high 42 fouls (3.8 a game), 13 more than the next highest Spurs player (Richard Jefferson).

Hill said getting in foul trouble changes the way he plays the game.

"Most definitely. You can't be as aggressive once you get fouls, but in basketball it happens," Hill said. "I need to get a little more mature about things, when to do it and when not to do it, but it's a learning process, and everyone goes through it."

MEDICAL WATCH:

--G Manu Ginobili (groin) is out at least until the Nov. 25 game against Golden State.