How Phoenix Avoided Overtime Games In 2005

The Phoenix Mercury were under .500 in 2005, but they were getting closer to the playoffs.

May 3, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; The shoes of Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) before the game against the Dallas Wings at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The Phoenix Mercury finished the 2005 season with a record of 16-18. They regressed slightly, as they finished the 2004 season with a record of 17-17.

Phoenix was still trying to make the playoffs, and the team's first appearance since 2000 would happen in 2007. That was the year they made the playoffs, and they beat the Seattle Storm, the the San Antonio Silver Stars and Detroit Shock to win it all.

May 25, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; The Under Armour shoes worn by Las Vegas Aces forward Dearica Hamby (5) during the second half against the LA Sparks at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Mercury lose their first two games

The Mercury started the 2005 season with a loss, as the Sacramento Monarchs beat them 77-72. Phoenix had two players who scored in double figures in that game, as Diana Taurasi and Anna DeForge both had 20 points. Taurasi also had seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocks. DeForge had five rebounds, four steals and an assist.

Belinda Snell played well, as she had 11 points off the bench. She also had four rebounds, two assists and a block.

Phoenix lost the next game, as the Indiana Fever picked up an 83-76 win. Then, the Mercury picked up their first win, as they beat the Charlotte Sting 68-58. DeForge had 20 points again, and she also had four rebounds, an assist and a steal.

Taurasi had 19 points, seven assists, five rebounds, two blocks and a steal. Then, Shereka Wright had 17 points, three rebounds and an assist.

Jul 20, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detailed view of the Nike basketball shoes worn by Team WNBA guard Caitlin Clark (22) against the USA Women's National Team during the 2024 WNBA All Star Game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Mercury went on a three-game losing streak after that, as they lost to the Connecticut Sun, the Storm and the Houston Comets. Then, they picked up a 66-63 win over the Los Angeles Sparks.

After that, the Mercury had their ups and downs. They picked up some good wins, but they also had stretches where they lost.

Aug 31, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; A Wilson EVO Nxt WNBA basketball on the court at the Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

There was one thing that stood out about this season, as the Mercury did not have an overtime game. The Mercury had two overtime games the following season, and one of them was a legendary game. Phoenix beat Houston in a game that went into triple overtime, and Taurasi had a career-high 47 points. That was an excellent game, and it helped the team go undefeated in overtime games.

Taurasi and her teammates were trying to make the playoffs, and in 2006, adding another star got them a step closer.

Please follow us on X to read more about the Mercury's 2005 season and some of the wins they picked up when you click right here!

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