The electricity inside State Farm Arena crackled like a live wire as Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever stormed back in the fourth quarter on May 22. With the Dream clinging to a three-point lead and the final buzzer looming, fans held their breath.
By the time Natasha Howard knocked down her 26th point with under a minute to play, the answer was clear: Indiana defeated Atlanta 81–76.
Following this, cameras flashed, pundits leaned in—everyone expected her to dissect this game’s win or boast of her latest triple-double from her season opener. Instead, with a grin, Clark paused, then remarked that she wanted all the love to go to “DB.”
In an instant, the room went silent—every flashbulb and microphone turned toward DeWanna Bonner’s name echoing through the cavernous hall.
Caitlin Clark Shifts the Spotlight to Bonner’s Historic Third-All-Time Scoring Feat
The milestone arrived on May 17, 2025, during Indiana’s season opener against the Chicago Sky. In the Fever’s commanding 93–58 victory, Bonner calmly sank two free throws late in the fourth quarter to surpass Hall-of-Famer Tina Thompson for third place on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list, reaching 7,489 career points.
While Clark exploded for a 20-point triple-double in that same game—her second-year breakout punctuated by 10 assists and 10 rebounds—her spotlight-stealing performance was suddenly secondary to Bonner’s enduring legacy.
Bonner’s ascent to the upper echelon of scorers caps a 16-year odyssey that began when the Phoenix Mercury drafted her fifth overall in 2009. A two-time champion (2009, 2014) and six-time All-Star, she built her reputation as a relentless slasher with a smooth mid-range jumper.
After stints overseas and a five-season tenure with the Connecticut Sun, she signed with Indiana in February 2025—immediately making her presence felt by rewriting the record books in her very first game with the Fever.
Meanwhile, Clark’s succinct declaration wasn’t a subtle reference: she was championing DeWanna Bonner, the seasoned veteran whose name had quietly surged up the all-time scoring charts.
Clark was quoted by Sports Illustrated, “Moving into third all-time [on the WNBA scoring list], I don’t see people talking about that enough. I don’t think people realize how big of a deal that is… that’s a huge milestone, that’s a huge achievement in this league that she has given so much to.”
The rookie guard added, “Honestly, [Bonner]. I think more people could give her her flowers, and appreciate not only what she has done recently, but what she has done over the course of her career.”
Caitlin Clark was asked which WNBA player she would want to pay respect to, in honor of Atlanta’s “pay respect to women’s sports” court
“[DeWanna Bonner], I think moving into third all-time, I don’t see people talking about that enough.” pic.twitter.com/SEMf5cf7Wx
— Clark Report (@CClarkReport)
For Clark, a rookie just a year removed from shattering NCAA scoring records, the choice to elevate a veteran’s achievement speaks volumes about her character.
Despite drawing record crowds and relentless media attention, the May 22 game against Atlanta had to be moved from Gateway Center Arena to the State Farm Arena of 16,888 capacity due to Clark’s massive fan following, who made sure that her senior teammate got her due flowers.
In a league where emerging talents often eclipse established stars, the moment underscored the importance of lineage and respect.
Meanwhile, on May 22, Indiana defeated Atlanta 81–76 in a battle that will echo all season. Both teams were tied at 24–24 in the third quarter before the Fever slashed Atlanta’s dream by two points in the final quarter to seal their win.
Surprisingly, Clark only fetched 11 points and dished out six assists, while Bonner added 1 point with eight rebounds. This was by far their below-par performances in the 2025 season after the duo bombarded through the gates with historic numbers since Game 1.