The Indiana Fever’s DeWanna Bonner era is over, as her release has given way to a return for Aari McDonald.
DeWanna Bonner is officially cleared from the Indiana Fever.
The decorated WNBA All-Star has been released by the Indiana Fever after wearing their uniform for nine games. The Fever confirmed the news first reported by Chloe Peterson of The Indianapolis Star and also announced the re-signing of Aari McDonald, who previously played on a hardship contract.
“I want to sincerely thank the Indiana Fever for the opportunity to be part of the Fever franchise,” Bonner said in a statement from the team. “Despite our shared goals and excitement heading into the season, I felt the fit did not work out and I appreciate the organization’s willingness to grant my request to move on, particularly at this point in my career.”
Bonner, 37, joined the Fever after spending the five seasons with the Phoenix Mercury. The three-time winner of the WNBA’s Sixth Woman of the Year title averaged 7.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in nine showings, including three starts. Her most notable showing in a Fever uniform came on May 28, when she put up 21 points and four rebounds in a loss to the Washington Mystics. In her Indianapolis debut, Bonner passed Tina Thompson to become the third-leading scorer in WNBA history.
Bonner had not taken the floor since June 10, as she had been listed as out due to personal reasons for each of the last five Fever games. Per Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports, several teams have expressed interest in signing Bonner but that her camp has advised them to move on, as she is intent on returning to the Phoenix Mercury.
Returning to Phoenix would unite Bonner’s personal and professional lives: the six-time All-Star played the first 11 seasons of her WNBA in the desert and the team currently employs her fiancée Alyssa Thomas.
McDonald, the third overall pick of the 2021 draft, averaged 11 points on just under 43 percent from the field in three showings on a hardship deal partly brought about by Bonner’s absence. She now returns on a full-season deal as Indiana (7-7) seeks to build on its first postseason showing since 2016.
“I’m so excited to rejoin the Fever. Although my time with the team was brief, it immediately felt like the place to be,” McDonald said in the same statement. “I’m grateful for the warm welcome from the coaches, teammates, and fans. Most of all, I thank God for the incredible journey I’m on.”
Fresh off a win over Seattle, the Fever returns to action on Thursday night at home against the Los Angeles Sparks (7 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime Video).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags