Jun 30, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of the Nike shoes of Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) against the Phoenix Mercury during a WNBA game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Mercury Get Overtime Win, Have One Of Their Best Seasons

Originally posted on Phoenix Mercury On SI
By Davion Moore | Last updated Jan 19, 2026 12:00 PM ET

The Phoenix Mercury missed the playoffs for the first time in 1999, but they got back on track the following season.

Phoenix finished the season with a record of 20-12, which makes it one of the team's best years. The Mercury started the season with a win over the New York Liberty, and they beat them 51-48. They picked up another win, as they beat the Houston Comets 80-62.

Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Utah Starzz handed the Mercury their first loss, but Phoenix quickly recovered with a win over the Seattle Storm. They lost another one after that, then they won their next two.

Mercury's All-Star leads team to victory

Phoenix was on the road in the first game, and it was a matchup against the Portland Fire. The Mercury beat the Fire 75-69, and Brandy Reed led the way. Reed scored 23 points, and she also had five rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block. The Mercury forward was having a good year, and later in the season, she became the franchise's third All-Star. She had an excellent year, and she averaged a career-high 19.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.1 steals.

Jennifer Gillom had a nice outing, as she had 19 points, four rebounds, an assist and a steal.

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

After that win, the Mercury hosted the Fire, and they beat them 81-80. That game went into overtime, and the Mercury's balanced effort put them over the top. Gillom had a big game, as she had 28 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Michelle Brogan and Tonya Edwards both had 18 points. Brogan also had seven rebounds, an assist and a steal. Edwards had two rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. Then, Reed had 12 points, five rebounds, an assist and a steal.

John Jones-Imagn Images

The Mercury's win over the Fire was their only overtime game that season, but they had some other close battles. For example, they picked up a 66-65 win over the Indiana Fever later in the season. They had a battle with the Sacramento Monarchs later that month, and the Monarchs beat them 61-60.

Phoenix's successful season led to a playoff appearance, and the Mercury faced the Los Angeles Sparks. The Sparks beat them 2-0, and after that, they lost to the Comets. The Mercury had a good year, and the overtime win over the Fire was one of the highlights.

This article first appeared on Phoenix Mercury On SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: