Here's a surprising fact: the Phoenix Mercury, a team known for their resilience, missed the playoffs for the first time in 1999. But here's where it gets intriguing—despite a respectable 15-17 record, they managed to avoid overtime games entirely that season. So, what happened?
The season started on a rocky note with back-to-back losses to the Sacramento Monarchs, who handed them defeats of 96-85 and 74-64. And this is the part most people miss—their first win came against the Cleveland Rockers, thanks to a stellar performance by Edna Campbell. She dominated with 21 points, three rebounds, two assists, and a steal, proving she was a force to be reckoned with.
Marlies Askamp also shone in that game, delivering a double-double with 17 points and 15 rebounds, along with five steals, an assist, and a block. Jennifer Gillom rounded out the top scorers with 15 points, six rebounds, and five assists. But consistency was a challenge. After a loss to the Orlando Miracle, they rebounded with a win over the Washington Mystics, led by Clarissa Davis-Wrightsil's 23 points, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
Here’s where opinions might differ—while the Mercury showed flashes of brilliance, their six-game losing streak mid-season likely sealed their playoff fate. Yet, they still managed to string together wins, including a four-game streak after losing to the Los Angeles Sparks. Their victory over the Utah Starzz, fueled by Askamp's 23 points and Davis-Wrightsil's 18, was a highlight, but it wasn’t enough to salvage the season.
So, why no overtime games? It’s a curious detail that raises questions about their gameplay style and strategy. What do you think? Was it a tactical choice, or just the luck of the draw? Let us know in the comments.
While 1999 was a slight setback, the Mercury bounced back the following year, even facing a new team in overtime. Their 1999 season may not have been their finest, but it’s a fascinating chapter in their history. Want to dive deeper? Follow us on X for more insights and discussions about the Phoenix Mercury's journey—click here: https://x.com/MercuryOnSI!
