NEW YORK — DeWanna Bonner is completely satisfied to be again house in Phoenix.
The veteran spent the primary 10 years of her profession with the Mercury earlier than leaving for the Connecticut Sun for 5 years after which a short stint with the Indiana Fever to start out the 2025 season. When that did not work out, she signed with Phoenix earlier this month.
“I would not do something otherwise. I feel my journey is my journey, and I’ll settle for that,” Bonner mentioned. “It carried me to the place I’m now in Phoenix, and it occurred that approach for a purpose.”
The 37-year-old wing was targeted on her future with Phoenix greater than dwelling on the previous or what went mistaken in Indiana that ended with the staff releasing her.
She did discover the narrative that she was disgruntled to come back off the bench amusing after beginning the primary few video games for the Fever. Within the opener, she moved into third on the WNBA profession scoring checklist.
“That wasn’t ever the problem. That is by no means been me,” mentioned Bonner, who has gained the WNBA Sixth Girl of the Yr award thrice. “I’ve no issues coming off the bench. I’ve by no means been that participant. I do not really feel like I’ve that popularity.”
Phoenix started a five-game street journey in New York on Friday night time and lost 89-76. Bonner had 9 factors.
“DB is a extremely good addition for us. She will play the two, the three and 4 and perhaps even some 5, relying on totally different lineups that, we’ll have a look at beginning right here, shifting ahead,” Phoenix coach Nate Tibbetts mentioned. “She’s gained championships. You recognize, her second recreation with us, we go on to Golden State, have some accidents and he or she goes for 22 and 11. You recognize, we’re not successful that recreation with out her, so she’s been an enormous pickup for us.”
The Mercury will head to Indiana on Wednesday, and Bonner mentioned she wasn’t positive what the response will likely be from the followers.
“I am simply going to exit and do my job,” she mentioned. “They’ve each proper to exit and do what they wish to do. I am simply going to exit and compete with my staff.”
It wasn’t all unhealthy in Indiana for Bonner, who was solely a four-hour drive from her twin daughters, who flip 8 quickly.
Bonner hopes to raise the Mercury to a different championship. She helped the franchise win two after getting drafted fifth by the staff in 2009.
“Getting again to Phoenix after so lengthy, the love and the welcome that I had was very a lot wanted and appreciated,” Bonner mentioned. “Coming again to those that I do know.”
The largest change she has seen in her time away has been within the constructing that the staff performs in.
“I stroll into the world for recreation day and I had no concept the place I used to be going, and it was loopy as a result of I used to be there for 10 years each day,” Bonner mentioned. “Every part is totally different, however the followers are nonetheless the identical, a pair folks within the entrance workplace are the identical.”