After a long 12-year journey, DeWanna Bonner has finally etched her name in the Phoenix Mercury record books. The veteran forward became the franchise’s all-time rebounding leader, surpassing Brittney Griner’s record of 2,323 rebounds while playing against Griner herself in the Connecticut Sun game on Sunday. Following the game, head coach Nate Tibbetts weighed in on Bonner’s stellar feat.

“I mean, what a moment for her… She passed BG and got a smile from across the court and even got a hug. That’s pretty neat. Those are special moments that you remember,” Tibbetts said, as per Clutchpoints reporter Hayden Cilley.

“For me, getting the opportunity to coach DB right now, at the end of her career, just the versatility that she brings… I think just her versatility, her size, her mobility. I just can’t even imagine how she moved around in her prime.”

The moment Tibbetts highlighted occurred in the fourth frame of play. As the giant screen showed Bonner as Phoenix’s new rebounding leader, she gestured a heart sign to Griner, who approached the sidelines and even hugged Bonner.

13 years ago, in 2013, when Griner joined the Phoenix Mercury as a rookie, Bonner was a veteran. They quickly became the heart of the team’s frontcourt, even helping the franchise to a WNBA title in 2014.

Bonner and Griner spent about 7 years together with the franchise before Bonner’s move to the Connecticut Sun in 2020, then Indiana in 2025. Now, as the 38-year-old is back with Mercury for the final pages of her career, the moment on Sunday when she surpassed the record of the prodigy she once mentored marks a full circle.

Brittney Griner, who signed with the Connecticut Sun this season, herself reminisced about these days with DeWanna Bonner while speaking of the latter’s record.

“I mean, DB is a great player. She was here when I came, and she had my back. I have been on the side of her, watched her go on the boards and play on the other side against her. Amazing player,” she said, as per reporter Aya Abdeen.

Besides being third on the all-time scoring list as per WNBA.com, Bonner is also sixth on the all-time rebounding list. Bonner’s prowess on the boards has always been a staple of her game, and the franchise record adds weight to it.

Glimpses of DeWanna Bonner’s class were evident in the Connecticut Sun’s win. The veteran forward led the team with 21 points and 6 rebounds, leading the team to a win after a five-game losing streak. Despite this record-breaking night and a stellar win, Bonner didn’t sugarcoat their recent form.

DeWanna Bonner Isn’t a Fan of Celebrating Her Milestones Just Yet

While the individual records keep stacking up for DeWanna Bonner, her overall season with Phoenix Mercury has been far from convincing. The team has lacked a solid defensive identity, often struggling with clinching wins in stretches. Thus, amid this disappointing season, Bonner feels this isn’t the perfect moment to celebrate her individual records.

“Not yet. It’s tough to do when you’re in the midst of the season, especially a season like this, where we’ve been so, you know, up and down right now,” Bonner said, as per Clutchpoints reporter Hayden Cilley.

“We’re just trying to get as many wins as I can. And I’m just trying to do whatever it takes. Once I retire, whenever that is, then I’ll look back and kind of reflect on everything. But right now, my focus is just trying to get some wins when we can get some wins.”

DeWanna Bonner’s season stat line is also a shadow of her dominant self. She is averaging 9.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, as per ESPN. To be fair, it’s kind of understandable, given these are the concluding stages of her career.

However, for Phoenix to mount a comeback, Bonner will have to do much more than that alongside Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper. Despite the win against the Connecticut Sun, Phoenix is 9-18 in the season. They are 7th in the Western Conference, with their next game against the LA Sparks on July 22.