With Aari McDonald scoring her career-high 27 points and Aliyah Boston, once again, coming big at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the short-handed Indiana Fever managed to defeat the Mercury 107-101 on Wednesday. The Fever, who are playing without an injured Caitlin Clark, registered their third straight victory and improved to 7-7 this season. Still, it was Clark who stole the spotlight amid the massive win.

This game also marked league veteran DeWanna Bonner’s first game against the Fever after she was traded to Phoenix earlier this season. After the Fever waived her on June 25, because “the fit didn’t work out,” Bonner reunited with the Mercury on July 8. And when the WNBA legend arrived at Gainebridge, the Fever fans welcomed her with boos. But the biggest highlight of the night was when one moment from the game when Fever’s defense against the 37-year-old brought a smile to Clark’s face.

It was to tighten up the defense, and Bonner? She had to pay for it, at least with a shot. It all came in the third quarter, where Bonner tried hard to score a basket, but every time she did, Lexie Hull made it nearly impossible. After missing her first shot and trying again, she was denied until the end by the Fever guard’s relentless defense. But Caitlin Clark’s reaction explained it better.

Sitting on the Fever bench due to a right groin injury, she wore a wide grin, had a spring in her step, and hyped the crowd up, clearly fired up by her teammate’s hustle.

But it wasn’t just Hull on a mission to dominate—even Aari McDonald, who once joined the Fever on a hardship contract to replace Caitlin Clark, played her part. As she powered through the first half, she racked up 17 points—her season high—with an impressive 6-of-7 from the field, a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, and added two assists.

And yes, the goals were only going to increase, as it was just the first half against the Mercury. So, when the Fever announced, “We have signed Aari McDonald for the remainder of the season. In a corresponding move, we have waived DeWanna Bonner,” they were sure, so sure, that the player they had brought in could fill the gap left by a former veteran who started this season ranked in the top three on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list with 7,489 points.

So, while Bonner left the team sailing through tough waters, she parted ways with grace. As she shared, “I want to sincerely thank the Indiana Fever for the opportunity to be part of the Fever franchise. Despite our shared goals and excitement heading into the season, I felt the fit did not work out… I wish the Fever great success as they continue to build around this dynamic group of young players.” But the Fever as a squad ensured she knows what she’s missed out on. So, was Bonner’s decision to get waived from the Fever really a mistake?

All’s well that ends well…

While Fever fans feel that Bonner’s exit was a huge mistake, it wasn’t really one. Especially since we already knew her four months with the Fever were the worst of her career—she posted a career-low of 7.1 points per game, and even her average playing time dropped to 21.3 minutes per game, also a personal low compared to her career average of about 30 minutes.

And beyond that, she found herself more compatible with another team. As she shared, “They’re a team that has great chemistry already, so that kind of went into my decision-making process as well. But they reassured me that they wanted me here, they needed me here,” she explained. Moreover, she’s got a shoulder to lean on in the form of her longtime partner, Alyssa Thomas.

And that’s why even the head coach, who once shared, “Defense travels, defense wins games, defense wins championships,” after a game versus the Aces earlier this season, seemed quite positive about her move. And that, too, despite Bonner being a failed piece of White’s defensive strategy for the Fever this season.

“I think she’s fit in perfectly with Phoenix; she does an excellent job,” White said. “She’s comfortable there; she’s comfortable in that system. I’m glad that she’s happy, and I’m glad she’s found her spot.” And yes, that’s it. After all, Bonner’s happy there, and who knows it better than the head coach who’s been with her for the past two years?