It has been ten days since DeWanna Bonner has been missing from the Fever’s roster. The former Sun player excitedly kicked off her first season in Indiana last month, but due to personal reasons, the 37-year-old guard has not been seen anywhere near the basketball court. And when Coach Stephanie White was asked about Bonner, her response was as brief as it was vague. “Give her the time that she needs,” White said, with no timeline and no hints, respecting Bonner’s privacy.

Well, HC White did confirm Bonner’s well-being after the Fever’s hard-fought win against the NY Liberty, but she still did not give any timeline for the veteran’s return. “I think she’s doing as well as she can be right now,” White said during her presser. “We’re going to continue to support her and give her the time that she needs. I don’t anticipate her being here (on June 14), and just with her right now, it’s supporting her and giving her what she needs.”

A week later, after losing to the Golden State Valkyries, when the Fever are up against the LV Aces, head coach White shared another much-awaited update on Bonner.

In an interview ahead of the Aces game, Stephanie White was asked how DeWanna Bonner was doing and if there is a timeline for her return. “She’s doing well, she’s doing well,” the coach shared. “Again, no timeline. I think it’s day-to-day, and for us to make sure that we’re continuing to be supportive of DB in her time away.” 

Considering the league’s smaller rosters and tight schedules, Bonnar’s absence might hurt the Fever in the long run. And honestly, her absence was visible at Chase Center when the Fever ultimately lost their sixth game of the season. The veteran guard has already missed three games, and there is still no sign when she may return to the lineup.

If Bonner does not return anytime soon, her absence will leave the team down to just 10 active players. And with Damiris Dantas also sidelined for five games, it might be time for the Fever to seriously consider dipping back into the hardship contract pool – something they’ve had to flirt with before.

Will the Indiana Fever sign a hardship player?

If DeWanna Bonner stays out for a while, the Indiana Fever could be down to just nine available players. This would happen once backup center Damiris Dantas leaves to play for Brazil in the FIBA AmeriCup and Bonner does not return. Dantas will head out after the Fever’s road trip ends in Seattle. She’s expected to miss five games from June 26 to July 8 while she’s competing in Chile. Most importantly, that absence would affect the big Commissioner’s Cup Final.

If DeWanna Bonner isn’t back by then, the Fever would qualify for an emergency hardship exception under the WNBA’s rules. According to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (Article VII, Section 4(b)(i)), a team can add a hardship player if injuries, illnesses, or other circumstances leave them with fewer than 10 available players. With both Bonner and Dantas out, Indiana would hit the exact number that will make them eligible. This situation isn’t new for the Fever, though.

They have already used the emergency hardship exception once this season. It was when Caitlin Clark was dealing with a left quad strain and Sophie Cunningham was out with a right ankle injury. They brought in guard Aari McDonald as a short-term fix. McDonald made a solid contribution. She was putting up 11.0 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game over three appearances while playing about 25 minutes a night.

But once Clark and Cunningham were healthy again, the Fever had to let McDonald go. Even though she is still available, Indiana probably wouldn’t bring her back this time unless another guard gets hurt. Because the current need is in the frontcourt. If both Bonner (who usually plays the 4) and Dantas (the backup 5) are still out, the Fever would more likely look for a forward or center under the same emergency rule.