The 1999 Phoenix Mercury season was a year of ups and downs, but one peculiar detail stands out: they didn't play a single overtime game! While this might seem like a minor footnote, it's an interesting quirk in a season that saw them miss the playoffs for the first time, finishing with a respectable 15-17 record. Let's dive into what made this season unique and what it meant for the team.
The Season Kicked Off with a Rough Start
The Mercury's journey in 1999 began with two immediate losses, both against the Sacramento Monarchs. The first encounter was a 96-85 defeat, followed by a closer 74-64 loss in their second matchup. These early games set a challenging tone for the team.
Finding Their Footing: Early Victories and Standout Performances
Phoenix secured their first win against the Cleveland Rockers with a 76-67 score. This game was a showcase for Edna Campbell, who led the scoring with 21 points, complemented by three rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Another player who shone was Marlies Askamp, delivering an impressive double-double with 17 points and a remarkable 15 rebounds. She also contributed significantly on defense with five steals, an assist, and a block. Jennifer Gillom was the third player to reach double figures, adding 15 points, six rebounds, and five assists to the tally.
A Rollercoaster of Wins and Losses
Following their first win, the Mercury faced a setback, losing to the Orlando Miracle. However, they quickly regrouped, bouncing back with a 79-76 victory over the Washington Mystics. In this hard-fought game, Clarissa Davis-Wrightsil was the star, pouring in 23 points, along with four rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Edna Campbell continued to be a reliable scorer, chipping in 14 points with two rebounds and two steals, while Michele Timms added 11 points, four assists, and three rebounds.
The Infamous Losing Streak and a Glimmer of Hope
After a loss to the Charlotte Sting, the Mercury managed a win against the Detroit Shock. But then came a challenging period: a six-game losing streak. These were tough defeats, but the team managed to break the streak with a win against the Utah Starzz. Phoenix defeated Utah 80-66, with Marlies Askamp leading the charge with 23 points. She also grabbed six rebounds, two blocks, a steal, and an assist. Clarissa Davis-Wrightsil also had a strong performance with 18 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Overall Season Performance and the Overtime Anomaly
Despite the mid-season struggles, the 1999 season was generally decent for the Mercury. After their victory over the Starzz, they went on to win their next two games and even strung together a four-game winning streak after a loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. The six-game losing streak undeniably impacted their playoff hopes. However, they still managed to secure a good number of wins. And here's the fascinating part: they managed to avoid playing any overtime games throughout the entire season! This is quite unusual, especially when you consider that the following year, they did experience an overtime game against one of the league's new franchises.
Looking Ahead
While the 1999 season was a slight setback, it wasn't the end of the story for the Phoenix Mercury. They would go on to find their way back to the playoffs in subsequent years. The absence of overtime games in 1999 remains a peculiar and memorable aspect of their season.
But here's where it gets interesting: Do you think avoiding overtime games is a sign of a team that either consistently wins or consistently loses, or could it be a sign of something else entirely? What are your thoughts on this unique aspect of the Mercury's 1999 season? Share your opinions in the comments below!
