Mercury’s DeWanna Bonner, at 38, beats online attacks, eager for 2026

Yahoo Sports3h ago10 min readOriginal source →

TL;DR

DeWanna Bonner, 38, overcomes online criticism to continue her WNBA career with the Phoenix Mercury. After a challenging period with the Indiana Fever, she is focused on the 2026 season and reuniting with her fiancée, Alyssa Thomas.

Key points

DeWanna Bonner is 38 years old.
She is a 16-year WNBA veteran.
Bonner faced online criticism during her career.
She had a controversial stint with the Indiana Fever.
Bonner is focused on the 2026 season with the Phoenix Mercury.

DeWanna BonnerPhoenix MercuryIndiana FeverAlyssa Thomas

Mercury’s DeWanna Bonner, at 38, beats online attacks, eager for 2026

Many factors could have kept Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner from playing basketball.

But the 16-year WNBA veteran persisted.

Her midseason signing in 2025 came off a controversial stint with the Indiana Fever that made her question a return to the game. After taking some time to be with her children, Bonner rejoined the organization that drafted her in 2009, along with reuniting with her teammate and fiancée, Alyssa Thomas.

“It’s love. It’s home. It’s peace. It’s comfort for my family, my kids,” Bonner said, “Just happy to be back from the beginning this year, and see what we can do.”

The uncertainty of the 2026 season threatened Bonner’s return, but the new CBA and productive offseason gave way to what could be her swan song in Phoenix.

Head coach Nate Tibbetts leads practice at Mercury training camp for the 2026 season at Mountain America Performance Center on April 19, 2026, in Phoenix.

Head coach Nate Tibbetts speaks to the media during the Mercury training camp for the 2026 season at Mountain America Performance Center on April 19, 2026, in Phoenix.