Mercury Star Had Words After Heated Clash Against Sophie Cunningham, Fever originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
There was no shortage of action in the Phoenix Mercury’s 95-60 blowout win against the Indiana Fever on Thursday.
Six-time All-Star DeWanna Bonner played in her 11th game for the Mercury following her mid-season move to Phoenix, and the 6-foot-4 guard-forward was involved in a couple of heated moments in the game against her former Fever teammates.
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DeWanna Bonner Gets Into It With Lexie Hull, Sophie Cunningham
Bonner, whose contract was waived by the Fever earlier in the season, was seen taunting ex-teammate Lexie Hull early in the game. The Phoenix veteran had some choice words for Hull after Bonner hit a three-pointer over the Fever guard.
Later in the game, Sophie Cunningham had to be held back by a teammate after an incident involving Bonner.
Cunningham got heated and had some choice words for Bonner as well as Phoenix star Satou Sabally.
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Bonner Reacts to Heated Fever-Mercury Clash
Bonner spoke to reporters after the game. She acknowledged that things got pretty intense in the matchup against her former team.
“Emotions are kinda high,” Bonner said. “Honestly, it’s just been a journey to get back to being just happy playing basketball again.”
The 37-year-old turned in one of her best performances of the season on Thursday night. She finished the win with a game-high 23 points, seven rebounds, an assist, one steal and two triples in just 23 minutes off the bench. There’s no denying that Bonner was playing some pretty inspired basketball against the Fever.
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Bonner’s Controversial Fever Exit
Bonner then opened up about how she went through a difficult period in her life earlier this season. The two-time WNBA champion admitted that she began questioning her passion for basketball during her time in Indiana.
“The joy, (I was) trying to find that for a minute. Basketball was kinda like off the radar for me a little bit,” she said. “I didn’t know if I loved it anymore. … Just to feel that again, to feel that energy from this building was just amazing.
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“I felt like it was a game that I needed to remind me, like, I love this. I love being here. I love Phoenix. I love playing basketball. And yeah, I can’t wait to do it again.”
Bonner’s stint in Indiana lasted just nine games after she signed with the team as a free agent during the offseason. The three-time Sixth Woman of the Year winner just didn’t fit in with the Fever, which ultimately led to her taking a leave of absence from the squad.
Phoenix, which is where Bonner played for the first 11 years of her WNBA career, signed her as a free agent after she parted ways with the Fever. As she said, Bonner has found herself again now that she’s back with the Mercury.
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Related: Sophie Cunningham Got Into It With Former Indiana Fever Teammate on Thursday
Related: “I’m Way Happier”: Fever Star Sophie Cunningham Does Not Hold Back After Return to Phoenix
Related: Stephanie White Sends Clear Message to Indiana Fever After Ugly Loss to Mercury
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
