The Phoenix Mercury missed the playoffs in 1999, but they bounced back the following year. They finished the 1999 season with a record of 15-17, and while that is a decent record, it was not enough to make it to the playoffs. There were other Western Conference teams that had the same record, and teams like the Houston Comets and the Los Angeles Sparks were ahead of them.
Phoenix recovered from that setback, and the Mercury finished the 2000 season with a record of 20-12.
The Mercury lost a few players before the start of that season, as both Edna Campbell and Toni Foster were a part of an expansion draft. The WNBA added four teams before the 2000 season, as the league introduced the Indiana Fever, the Miami Sol, the Portland Fire and the Seattle Storm.
Aug 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; A detailed view of the Nike G.T. 3 Cut 3 shoes worn by Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) against the LA Sparks in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Campbell was the second pick of that draft, and she went to the Storm. Later in the draft, the Storm picked up Foster.
Despite those losses, the Mercury brought in some new faces. They did not have a first-round pick in that year’s draft, but they had picks in the other rounds. They drafted Adrian Williams-Strong in the second round, they selected Tauja Catchings in the third round, and they picked Shantia Owens in the fourth. Williams-Strong was the only one who suited up for the Mercury, and she became the franchise’s fourth All-Star.
Phoenix started the 2000 season with a win over the New York Liberty. The Mercury beat the Liberty 51-48, and Brandy Reed was the standout star. She had 22 points, seven rebounds, three blocks, an assist and a steal. She was the only player who scored in double figures.
Aug 29, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; WNBA basketball on the floor during a game between the Atlanta Dream and Dallas Wings in the fourth quarter at Gateway Center Arena at College Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images / Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The Mercury won their next game, as they beat the Comets 80-62. They lost to the Utah Starzz in the third game, but they bounced back with a big win against the Storm. They beat them 82-49, and Reed was the leader once again. She had 24 points, and she also had five rebounds and two assists.
Bridget Pettis was the second-leading scorer, and she had 15 points. Then, Michelle Brogan had 14 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal.
Phoenix had a win percentage of 62.5 percent, which is their fifth best. The 1998 season is right above it, then the Mercury’s historic seasons make up the top three.
Sep 23, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; A general view of a game ball on the court in a game between the Phoenix Mercury and Minnesota Lynx during game two of the second round for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images / Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
The Mercury had a good year, and while they were knocked out early, they still made the playoffs.
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