Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (No. 24) attempts to score a basket against the Chicago Sky at home on July 7. (Photo: Adrianna Peralta | The Podium Finish)
PHOENIX — Despite snapping a three-game winning streak in a loss to the Chicago Sky at home, one of the current Phoenix Mercury legends, forward DeWanna Bonner, made history on Tuesday.
Bonner became just the third player in WNBA history to surpass 8,000 career points, joining franchise legend Diana Taurasi and Tina Charles in elite company. Additionally, she surpassed Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings for sixth all-time on the career rebounds list, pulling down her 3,317th board.
“My kids are here for it,” Bonner said postgame. “They don’t get to be here for a lot of my milestones, so for them to be here for that, it was huge. The fact that they actually understood what was going on was pretty cool. Maybe they’ll follow in my footsteps one day and try to get 8,001.”
A Legacy of Longevity
Throughout her storied professional career, Bonner has anchored the Mercury’s success, winning two WNBA Championships, three consecutive Sixth Woman of the Year awards (2009-11), and earning six WNBA All-Star selections.
A standout chapter in her career came during the 2018 season when she returned to the hardwood after missing 2017 for the birth of her twins, playing a pivotal role in Phoenix’s deep playoff run alongside Taurasi and Brittney Griner.
“Being able to be around this long and put my name in the record books that will probably be there forever, I can’t ask for a better career,” Bonner reflected. “It was a lot of roles, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. It’s been a fun journey—not saying it’s over, but it has been a fun journey going to 8,000.”
During Tuesday’s matchup against the Sky, Bonner recorded 12 points and seven rebounds while anchoring a frontcourt dealing with the absence of Natasha Mack. Despite the tough loss, head coach Nate Tibbetts highlighted Bonner’s relentless work ethic as her defining quality.
“The tough part about a loss like this tonight is not being able to feel good about something,” Tibbetts said. “I mean, you still feel good about it, but after a win, there’s more recognition for something like this. It’s a hell of an accomplishment. There are only three people (Tina Charles, Diana Taurasi) who have ever done that, to get over 8,000, and she helps set the standard for what the Mercury stands for. She’s been the ultimate professional.”
Setting the Standard in Phoenix
Since taking over the head coaching position for the Mercury, Tibbetts has had the unique privilege of coaching two of the top three all-time scorers in WNBA history.
“For me, being able to come to this league and coach such high-level players with such an unbelievable organization that they’ve done it at a high level for so long, that’s special,” Tibbetts said. “There are a lot of people who get to coach a lot of people, but to see the standard and the excellence of those two, and the level at which they’ve done it in this league is really cool.”
Originally selected fifth overall in the 2009 WNBA Draft out of Auburn, Bonner learned the ropes from standard-bearers like Taurasi, Penny Taylor, and Cappie Pondexter. Over the years, she evolved from an elite perimeter threat into a versatile defensive disruptor.
“She gave me the advice to go on my own journey in this,” Bonner said of Taurasi. “She always said score the ball, that was the main thing, that’s what I was here for. Just credit to her, and when you play alongside great players, they kind of get all the attention every night. I mean, just being aggressive when I came from the beginning of my career until now, it’s been a pretty cool journey, but to start it with her, she’s number one for a reason.
Mercury guard Monique Akoa Makani, who provided nine points off the bench, echoed the sentiment of playing alongside a legend.
“It’s a privilege,” Akoa Makani said. “Being able to witness her passion for the game and the way she shoots the ball to me is just incredible.”
Eyes on the Postseason Playbook
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (No. 25) attempts to score a basket against the Chicago Sky at home on July 7. (Photo: Adrianna Peralta | The Podium Finish)
Now sitting at 8-14 through 22 games, the Mercury hit the official halfway mark of the regular season with their focus locked squarely on a playoff push. Forward Alyssa Thomas previously said that the tides will turn for Phoenix in late May and emphasized accountability on the defensive end.
It has been a rollercoaster campaign as the roster navigates injuries and searches for fluid rotations. On Tuesday, a primary hurdle came in the form of 20 turnovers, which Chicago converted into 25 points.
One of the examples during Tuesday’s loss, Phoenix recorded 20 turnovers, which were turned into 25 points scored off turnovers by Chicago. Tibbetts stated in the postgame about his disappointment at not exceeding the expectations of taking care of the ball.
“I didn’t feel the chemistry on the floor today, and I think it’s because we didn’t have rhythm because of the turnovers,” Akoa Makani said. “They were taking advantage of those turnovers. The gap was going and going, so it’s always harder to come back into it as something that looks fluid as a team. So yeah, I think we struggled with that a little bit today.”
Even in defeat, individual bright spots continue to keep Phoenix squarely in the hunt. Guard Kahleah Copper led the scoring charge against the Sky, dropping 25 points, four rebounds, and four three-pointers. Copper currently holds the longest active streak in the league for scoring 25 or more points in four consecutive games.
The night also marked the Mercury’s 1,000th regular-season game in franchise history, tying the New York Liberty for the most all-time.
“That’s the goal,” Tibbetts said. “We’re going to keep fighting and keep fighting; that’s what this group is about. There’s still better basketball ahead for us. Tonight was a step in the wrong direction. Our group knows that, but our goal is the playoffs, and that’s what we want to get to. We’re going to keep fighting for that.”
The Mercury will wrap up their three-game homestand on Thursday night when they welcome the Indiana Fever to the Mortgage Matchup Center.
From the Desk of the Phoenix Mercury PR:
“The Mercury tied their season high for the fifth time with 11 steals on the night, the most since June 3 at Seattle. Phoenix is tied with Atlanta for the second-most games with 10+ steals this season, only trailing Minnesota.”
“The Mercury played their 1,000th regular-season game – tied with the Liberty for the most all-time. The Mercury are 503-497 (.503) and one of four WNBA franchises to have 500+ wins.”
