Did you know that the Phoenix Mercury managed to avoid a single overtime game during their entire 2005 season? It’s a rare feat in the fast-paced world of the WNBA, and it’s a detail that often gets overlooked. Let’s dive into how this happened and what made the 2005 season so unique for the team.
The Phoenix Mercury wrapped up the 2005 season with a 16-18 record, a slight dip from their 17-17 finish in 2004. Despite this, the team was still pushing hard to secure a playoff spot—a goal they wouldn’t achieve until 2007, when they not only made the playoffs but went on to win the championship, defeating powerhouses like the Seattle Storm, San Antonio Silver Stars, and Detroit Shock. But here’s where it gets interesting: their 2005 journey was marked by something unusual—no overtime games.
The season kicked off with a 77-72 loss to the Sacramento Monarchs. Despite the defeat, Diana Taurasi and Anna DeForge shone brightly, each scoring 20 points. Taurasi’s all-around performance included seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and three blocks, while DeForge added five rebounds, four steals, and an assist. Off the bench, Belinda Snell contributed 11 points, four rebounds, two assists, and a block, showcasing the team’s depth.
Their next game against the Indiana Fever ended in another loss, 83-76, but the Mercury bounced back with a 68-58 victory over the Charlotte Sting. DeForge once again led the charge with 20 points, while Taurasi chipped in 19 points, seven assists, five rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. Shereka Wright also made her mark with 17 points, three rebounds, and an assist. But here’s where it gets controversial—was the team’s inability to force overtime a sign of consistency or a missed opportunity to clinch close games?
After their first win, the Mercury hit a rough patch, losing three straight games to the Connecticut Sun, Seattle Storm, and Houston Comets. They then secured a 66-63 win over the Los Angeles Sparks, but the season continued to be a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Despite their efforts, the team couldn’t string together a consistent winning streak, yet they managed to avoid the drama of overtime entirely.
Fast forward to the 2006 season, and the Mercury had two overtime games, one of which was nothing short of legendary. In a triple-overtime thriller against the Houston Comets, Taurasi scored a career-high 47 points, leading the team to victory. This raises the question: Was the 2005 season’s lack of overtime games a fluke, or did the team intentionally play a style that avoided extended play?
Taurasi and her teammates were clearly building toward something bigger, and the addition of another star in 2006 brought them closer to their playoff dreams. The 2005 season, while not their most successful, was a critical stepping stone in their journey to becoming champions.
And this is the part most people miss—the 2005 season wasn’t just about wins and losses; it was about resilience, growth, and the quiet consistency of avoiding overtime. What do you think? Was the lack of overtime games a missed opportunity, or a testament to their ability to close out games in regulation? Let us know in the comments!
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