Fever’s next game against DeWanna Bonner is officially set

DeWanna Bonner joined the Fever as the team’s prized offseason addition. She was supposed to provide defense and championship experience for a young team in desperate need of both. The vision did not pan out. Just three games into the season, Bonner lost her starting spot to Lexie Hull, and soon after made it known that she didn’t want to play for the Fever anymore. 

Indiana waived the veteran, giving her a chance to sign with whichever team would have her. After a couple of weeks of waiting, Bonner signed with the Phoenix Mercury. 

Now that that is official, the Fever know exactly when they will see Bonner again. They have a home game against Phoenix scheduled for July 30. 

That meeting will be a big game for several reasons. For one, it marks Bonner’s first return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse after her somewhat rocky exit. Secondly, the Mercury have firmly established themselves as one of the best teams in the league, led by All-Stars Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas. Beating the Mercury would be an important statement for the Fever to make. 

Indiana has been able to make up for losing Bonner

While Bonner was initially supposed to play a big role for the Fever, that plan didn’t work out. Between Lexie Hull, Sophie Cunningham, and Natasha Howard, who has been playing really well as of late, the Fever have been able to make up for losing Bonner. 

Not having Bonner on the roster anymore also allowed the Fever to re-sign Aari McDonald, who was with the team on a hardship contract before. McDonald has been an instant boost for the Fever, providing perimeter scoring, playmaking, and defense the team desperately needed with Caitlin Clark sidelined due to a groin injury. She led the Fever in assists in two of the last five games. 

This is Bonner’s second stint with the Mercury

DeWanna Bonner and the Phoenix Mercury are not unfamiliar with each other. Bonner was drafted by the franchise in 2009 with the fifth overall pick in the draft. She played for the Mercury until 2019. While in Phoenix, Bonner won two championships, made three All-Star teams, an All-WNBA First Team, and one WNBA All-Defensive Second Team, and won three Sixth Woman of the Year awards. 

It was unquestionably the most successful stretch of her career, and the Mercury are on track for another widely successful season. Between Bonner, Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally, and Kahleah Copper, the Mercury will have plenty of star power. The team also has an impressive, proven supporting cast.