When the Phoenix Mercury crushed the Indiana Fever 95–60 on Thursday night, it wasn’t just a win — it was personal for DeWanna Bonner.
The veteran forward faced Indiana for only the second time since the team bought out her contract in late June, a move that fueled speculation about her future and sparked questions about whether she still wanted to play. Even as the WNBA’s third all-time leading scorer, Bonner admitted she hit a low point and briefly considered stepping away.
Her motivation to return came from a place far more personal than basketball.
“First of all, my kids,” Bonner said postgame. “I took a little time for myself to see if I wanted to do this again. Just them being around reminded me life is short. They have no idea what’s going on behind the scenes — they just made it fun.”
Bonner also credited Phoenix’s loyal fan base for helping rekindle her passion. She spent a decade with the Mercury earlier in her career, and walking back into the arena brought a wave of nostalgia — even if she initially went the wrong way to the locker room.
“The fans are still the same, the love is still the same, the energy is still the same… it was definitely needed at a very low point for me.”
Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts noticed that Bonner’s return to face Indiana brought out an even sharper edge.
“It didn’t work out for either party while she was there… I’m sure that left a chip on her shoulder,” Tibbetts said. “There was an edge to her, which was great.”
That edge was on full display — Bonner drained a three over Fever guard Lexie Hull, talking trash all the way down the floor. Later, after stealing the ball from Sophie Cunningham, she held her ground in a physical wrap-up. It was the kind of fire Phoenix rallied around all game.
The Mercury and Fever will meet again in early September, and if the current standings hold, the two would square off in the first round of the playoffs. Given the history, emotions, and intensity already brewing, that matchup could be one of the league’s most charged battles of the season.
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