Bonner faced her former team on Thursday...
DeWanna Bonner Taunts Former Teammate Lexie Hull in Fever-Mercury Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
After following coach Stephanie White from the Connecticut Sun to the Indiana Fever, DeWanna Bonner played in nine games before requesting her release from the team. She went on to sign with the Phoenix Mercury, joining her partner and Sun teammate, Alyssa Thomas.
Bonner made her return to Indiana on July 30 to a loud array of boos from the Fever crowd. And Indiana walked away with a 107-101 win, despite missing Caitlin Clark with an injury.
On Thursday, Bonner had another chance to defeat her former team as the Mercury hosted Lexie Hull and the Fever at PHX Arena. This also marked Sophie Cunningham's first return to Phoenix, her former team.
Bonner Stares Down Her Former Teammate
Despite no hard feelings between Bonner and the Fever, she still took a moment to taunt Hull, one of her former teammates. With 2:02 left in the first quarter, Bonner moved to the top of the arc with Hull draped over her. She took a short pass from Thomas, who set a series of screens to clear Hull away.
With space to shoot, Bonner pulled up and drained a 25-foot 3-pointer to extend Phoenix’s lead. As the two jogged back down the court, the Mercury newcomer got in Hull’s face and stayed there. Commentators even suggested Bonner was trash-talking her old teammate.
Immediately after, Thomas stole the ball off a bad pass from Aari McDonald, getting an easy layup at the other end.
Courtside for the DeWanna Bonner x Lexie Hull x Alyssa Thomas experience😂 #fever#mercury#wnbapic.twitter.com/hSRfnzCLYy
— Keegan Murray Stan (@K33GANMURRAY13) August 8, 2025
Why Did Dewanna Bonner Leave the Fever?
Bonner came into Indiana and earned a spot in the starting lineup immediately. However, after struggling in her first three games, Coach White elected to send Bonner to the bench in favor of Hull. Hull has since returned to the bench, being replaced by Cunningham.
After a few games off the bench, Bonner missed the Fever’s first West Coast road trip of the season for personal reasons. While some reports questioned her “fit” with the team, the Mercury forward has denied that her time on the bench had anything to do with her absence.
“That wasn’t ever the issue," Bonner said. “That’s never been me. I have no problems coming off the bench. I have never been that player. I don’t feel like I have that reputation.”
Related: Sophie Cunningham's Former Coach Has Strong Words About Fever Star Protecting Caitlin Clark
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
