Bold opening hook: Phoenix’s misstep in 1999 was a turning point that reshaped the franchise, proving a setback can springboard a resurgence. Now, here’s how it unfolded and what came next.
Why Phoenix Rebounded After Missing the Playoffs
In 1999, the Phoenix Mercury finished with a 15-17 record, placing them fourth in the Western Conference. Teams like the Houston Comets and the Los Angeles Sparks dominated the standings, well above .500, leaving Phoenix on the outside looking in.
That season marked the Mercury’s first playoff miss following their landmark run to the WNBA Finals. They had just faced the Comets in the conference matchup, and Houston edged them out 2-1. The Comets were in peak form, capturing a second championship, with more titles to come afterward.
Phoenix didn’t ride the momentum of that Finals appearance into the next year. Instead, they missed the postseason again, but the organization used the setback to rebuild with a mix of veteran know-how and young talent. In the 1999 WNBA Draft, they selected Edna Campbell in the first round, who went on to average 9.6 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game in her rookie season.
In the second round, Phoenix added Clarissa Davis-Wrightsil. Davis-Wrightsil contributed 9.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists over her single season with the team. The Mercury also drafted two more players, Lisa Harrison and Amanda Wilson. Harrison contributed an average of six points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in her time with Phoenix, and she would later reach a career-best of 8.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and a steal per game a few seasons down the line.
Despite this fresh talent infusion, Phoenix still missed the playoffs. The competition was fierce, and ultimately a Western Conference team stood atop the league that year.
But the narrative shifted dramatically by 2009. The Mercury captured their second championship, defeating the Indiana Fever in the Finals. Their playoff run that year included a first-round win over the San Antonio Silver Stars and a triumph over the Sparks on their path to the title.
That 2009 season finished with a 23-11 record, mirroring Phoenix’s 2007 mark. Diana Taurasi delivered a standout campaign, becoming the first Mercury player to win MVP. She then earned Finals MVP honors, making her the second player in franchise history to achieve that distinction, following Cappie Pondexter.
Phoenix celebrated another title, marking a different era from 1999 but still part of the same rich history. Both milestones—1999’s rough patch and 2009’s championship—are integral to the Mercury’s enduring story.
If you’d like to compare the 1999 Mercury’s performance to the rest of the league that season, you can read more by following our linked coverage on X (formerly Twitter) here: https://x.com/MercuryOnSI
