It was a moment 15 years in the making. And when it finally came, DeWanna Bonner soaked in every second.
Standing at the free-throw line with the crowd buzzing, the Indiana Fever forward calmly knocked down two shots to cement her place in history. Just like that, Bonner passed Tina Thompson and became the No. 3 all-time leading scorer in WNBA history. Then she walked off to a standing ovation, arms raised, eyes misty. She had arrived, again.
History Made, in True DeWanna Bonner Fashion
Bonner didn’t need a flashy 30-point game or a viral highlight to etch her name into the record books. Just two free throws, smooth, silent, and steady, like she’s done thousands of times before.
And yet, those shots hit differently. The 7,489th point of her career didn’t just move her past Thompson, it placed her behind only Diana Taurasi (10,646) and Tina Charles (7,696) on the league’s all-time scoring list.
Ten seconds later, she checked out of the game. And that’s when the emotions really kicked in.
“I kinda got a little bit emotional,” Bonner admitted postgame. “To be at this moment in front of a sold-out crowd, in front of all this attention, and to have that moment is pretty special to me. I’m just so grateful.”
dewanna bonner on moving up the wnba all time scoring list:
"i kinda got a little bit emotional. to be at this moment in front of a sold out crowd, in front of all this attention, and to have that moment is pretty special to me—i'm just so grateful." pic.twitter.com/8BHSAO3lAq
— cc akgae (@clrkszn)
The Fever rolled to a 93-58 win over the Chicago Sky, but the final score almost didn’t matter. This was Bonner’s night, and everyone in Gainbridge Fieldhouse knew it.
She hugged teammates. She hugged the coaches. And she shared a long embrace with Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White, the same coach who stood beside her in Connecticut for two seasons. The bond runs deep, and so does the respect.
A Quiet Storm Who Deserves the Spotlight
Bonner’s career has been a masterclass in consistency and resilience. Drafted by the Phoenix Mercury in 2009, she won two titles alongside Taurasi and Brittney Griner. In Connecticut, she helped the Sun chase championships with MVP-level talent like Alyssa Thomas. And now, in Indiana, she’s doing it all again. This time mentoring Caitlin Clark and the rest of the Fever’s young core.
She’s always been that steady presence. The vet who speaks when it matters. The star who doesn’t chase the limelight but earns it anyway.
That’s what makes this moment so special. White acknowledged that Bonner deserves this, and this team? It needs someone like her. She brings it all: leadership, toughness, big-game experience.
Bonner knows she’s closer to the finish line than the starting line. That’s why every game matters. Every celebration counts. And make no mistake; Indiana will keep celebrating her, every chance it gets.
