The Phoenix Mercury are making serious noise in the WNBA this season. With a (19-11) record, the team sits firmly in second place in the Western Conference. Their 19th victory came on August 7 as they defeated the Indiana Fever (95-60) in a statement win that showcased exactly what the Phoenix are capable of.
It also turned into a night of personal redemption for veteran forward DeWanna Bonner, who dropped 23 points and, after the game, delivered what seemed like a subtle dig at her former team.
DeWanna Bonner’s Message After Thursday’s Game
During her post-game interview, the veteran clarified that her time in Phoenix had reignited something special within her.
“Honestly, it has been a journey to get back to just being happy playing basketball again… The joy, trying to find that for a minute. Basketball was like kind of off the radar for me a little bit. I didn’t know if I loved it anymore. Like I had a long conversation with Alyssa.”
“So, just to feel that again, feel that energy, feel this from that building was just amazing. I feel like it was a game that I needed to, you know, remind me that I love this. I love being here. I love Phoenix. I love basketball,” said Bonner during the postgame interview.
Bonner didn’t even begin the 2025 season in Phoenix. In February, she inked a one-year deal with the Indiana Fever, and this move was billed as one of the franchise’s most important offseason pickups. She was expected to bring veteran leadership to a young team looking to make a playoff push.
Instead, she suited up for just nine games before parting ways with the organization by stating an incompatible relationship between herself and the organization’s structure and culture.
“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, and I appreciate the organization’s willingness to grant my request to move on, particularly at this point in my career.”
“I wish the Fever great success as they continue to build around this dynamic group of young players,” said Bonner in a brief statement.
Statement from DeWanna Bonner, who requested a split: pic.twitter.com/zme7xwkdKi
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) June 25, 2025
On Thursday night, Bonner’s competitive spirit against Indiana wasn’t just reflected in her stat line, body language, and energy. In the first quarter, she drilled a deep three-pointer over Fever guard Lexie Hull, then locked eyes with her for several seconds.
Courtside for the DeWanna Bonner x Lexie Hull x Alyssa Thomas experience😂 #fever #mercury #wnba pic.twitter.com/hSRfnzCLYy
— Keegan Murray Stan (@K33GANMURRAY13) August 8, 2025
Things got even more intense in the third quarter. With Indiana trailing 68-46, tempers flared between former teammates. Immediately after an inbound, Bonner lunged in to strip the ball away from Sophie Cunningham and forced a turnover.
Cunningham then responded with a hard foul on Bonner, leading officials to stop play and review the contact. The sequence showed just how much emotion was flowing on both sides.
Things getting chippy out there after this Sophie/Bonner play👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/DUHse0nO1c
— AK (@Sudharsan_AK10) August 8, 2025
As for the game itself, the Phoenix set the tone early. They entered halftime with an 11-point advantage. By the fourth quarter, Phoenix had ballooned its lead to 36 points, the most significant margin of the night, and ultimately won the game.
Next, on August 10, the Phoenix will turn its attention to the Atlanta Dream, hoping to keep its hot streak alive.
