The Phoenix Mercury pulled off a gritty 72-68 win over the Seattle Storm on Wednesday night, snapping a six-game losing streak that had insiders buzzing about the locker room. But behind the box score, a much bigger story is unfolding.
One Veteran Just Rewrote the Record Books—Again
DeWanna Bonner, the 38-year-old forward who has spent 17 seasons grinding in the WNBA, quietly inched past Tina Thompson for fifth place on the league’s all-time field goals made list. According to team sources, Bonner now sits at 2,633 made field goals with no signs of slowing down. Thompson, a four-time champion and nine-time All-Star, is widely considered one of the league’s all-time greats—but Bonner reportedly told teammates she’s not done climbing.
“She doesn’t talk about it, but everyone knows the weight of what she’s doing,” one unnamed source close to the Mercury claimed. “The record books are getting rewritten, and she’s doing it in a season where nobody expected much from this team.”
The Comeback That Changed Everything
The Mercury trailed 55-52 entering the fourth quarter, and whispers of a seventh straight loss were starting to surface. But Bonner, playing off the bench, dropped seven unanswered points to put the Storm on ice. Natasha Mack posted 16 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks, while Kahleah Copper added 16 points and six rebounds to close the deal with four free throws in the final 20 seconds. Copper had reportedly assured fans she would “bring the fire” after a string of close losses.
Bonner’s final stat line—10 points, two rebounds, two assists—looks modest on paper, but those who watched say her impact went far beyond numbers. “She’s the heartbeat, plain and simple,” a league insider told us. “When the team is in chaos, she’s the one steady force.”
From Indiana Meltdown to Phoenix Redemption
Bonner’s return to the Mercury was anything but smooth. After spending four years with the Connecticut Sun, she signed with the Indiana Fever in 2023, but according to reports, she was unhappy with her diminished role. After just nine games, she reportedly demanded a release, and the Fever obliged. That move could’ve spelled the end for a player in her late 30s, but Phoenix welcomed her back with open arms. Now she’s leading a team that made the WNBA Finals twice—and insiders say she’s hungrier than ever.
“Some players fade when they get moved around,” one former WNBA scout noted. “Bonner? She uses it as fuel. Sources say she’s been studying film like a rookie all over again.”
The Mercury improved to 3-8 with the win, still near the bottom of the standings. But with Bonner stacking career milestones and the defense finally clicking, whispers around the league suggest this team could surprise people. The next test comes Friday against the Portland Fire—and if Bonner keeps rolling, insiders say another legendary night might be brewing.
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