“It’s going to be different to game-plan against her…. But I’m glad that she’s happy, and I’m glad that she’s found her spot,” said Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White about DeWanna Bonner back in July. The one-year contract that the shooting guard/small forward signed with the team back in February 2025 was meant to be the beginning of a new chapter. Instead, Bonner reportedly became frustrated with her role and requested a trade out of Indiana. Now, months later and settled in with the Mercury, Bonner herself has pointed out the difference.

The Phoenix Mercury recently won Game 4 of their Semi-Finals series against the Minnesota Lynx. With this win, the Mercury squad now becomes the first one to enter the 2025 WNBA Finals. In the aftermath of the victory, ESPN was able to get an exclusive interview with several of the Mercury players, including Bonner. When asked what it was like to get the win and the records she set in Game 4, the 38-year-old replied, “Coming in midseason, I’m just so happy they accepted me. I love them so very much. I was at a low point in my career, and they just picked me up and loved me with open arms. I’m just happy to be home and to be with this group.”

Bonner wasn’t being too subtle with the “low point in my career” and “happy…. to be with this group” remarks, right?

The 38-year-old player did not have a good start to the 2025 season. She became the WNBA’s third-leading scorer at the beginning of her tenure with the Indiana Fever after scoring 7 points during the franchise’s sold-out season opener. Unfortunately, things went sideways after that. The veteran reportedly struggled on the court, and she scored just 10 total points over the first four games in the starting lineup. At one point, she had averaged just 7.1 points and 3.8 rebounds on a career-worst 34.5% from the field. Eventually, she went from an early-season starter to being benched in favor of guard Lexie Hull. Looking for a different role took her back to the Phoenix Mercury.

DeWanna Bonner had previously played for the Phoenix Mercury for 10 years! She was drafted by the franchise back in 2009, as the 5th overall pick. She went on to play for the team till February 2020, when she was traded to the Connecticut Sun. Bonner held the Phoenix Mercury in high regard even during her Indiana Fever tenure. Now, if she wants, the veteran can choose to end her career with the same team that drafted her.

As of now, DeWanna Bonner’s professional career seems to be in a good light. However, it took time and struggle to get here. After all, not only did she have to deal with a not-so-pleasant tenure with the Indiana Fever, but she also had to deal with what people were saying about her on social media.

DeWanna Bonner Revealed Struggle In Dealing With Cyberbullying

Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, and Satou Sabally together participated in a presser after qualifying for the Finals. During the Q&A session, a reporter asked whether Bonner could take him and the others through the mental hurdle she faced, and how rewarding it feels, now, to sort of overcome them and head back to the WNBA finals once again. In response, Bonner revealed, “Oh man, I don’t know if I’ve overcome it yet. Um, it’s been like a whirlwind, but, huh, yeah, that was, it’s been tough, you know. It’s been tough. I went through a lot, especially like, uh, the cyberbullying, things like that.”

Being a sportsman, especially in today’s age, makes you an easy target of cyberbullying, no matter how good you are. After Bonner’s exit from the Indiana Fever, comments like “Booing a quitter is fair”, and “Dewanna, play anymore, Bonner. How’d that revenge game go? Lmao #quittersgonquit” soon began to emerge. Many people didn’t even give her kindness when she attempted to defend herself, with further remarks like “She’s so cringe. You literally ARE a quitter”, and “WNBA players ability to be the aggressor and the victim at the same time is fascinating” being given out against her.

Fortunately, Bonner was able to get through this issue by having the right people by her side.

“Just thankful for my teammates, my family, my kids,” the veteran added. “Um, yeah, I don’t think I’m over it, but I’m just going to live in this moment with them. And, uh, I’ve been riding the wave of them, and how much they love it. And, you know, they brought joy back to me just watching them play that way, and welcome me like that.”

If all goes well, DeWanna Bonner will have won a 3rd championship trophy with the same team. Whether she and her squad remain up to the task is something that remains to be seen.