DeWanna Bonner has shared an emotional message after the Atlanta Dream Finals loss, reflecting on a season that changed her career and on 17 years in the league. The message drew warm reactions from teammates, including Angel Reese, who replied that it was an honor to play with her.
Bonner wrote that experiencing that kind of love, energy and excitement after 17 years in the league is something she will never take for granted. She called her move to Atlanta life changing, far beyond winning or losing a championship.
The Dream reached the WNBA Finals before losing Game 7 to the Golden State Valkyries, 68 to 63. Bonner scored four points in 14 minutes in the deciding game, closing a playoff run in which she stepped up when the Dream needed her most.
Her journey to Atlanta began after the Phoenix Mercury agreed to a buyout, and Atlanta signed her the next day. When Allisha Gray hurt her hand in Game 1 of the semifinals, Bonner scored 23 points and nine rebounds in a win over the Liberty, then followed with 13 points and 13 rebounds in the series clincher in New York.
Bonner also reached historic marks in the postseason. She became the first player in WNBA history to record 600 postseason defensive rebounds, and she extended her record for most playoff games played to 110. She ranks third on the WNBA all time scoring list, behind only Diana Taurasi and Tina Charles.
Her Dream contract ended with the Finals, making her an unrestricted free agent. Wherever she plays next, Bonner leaves Atlanta with a Finals run, a locker room full of respect, and a message that shows how much this season meant to her.
Bonner joined Atlanta after the Phoenix Mercury agreed to a buyout, and the move changed her season. She found a team that needed her experience, and she gave the Dream steady minutes and a voice in the locker room that younger teammates leaned on through the playoff run. Her message after the Finals loss made clear how much the season meant to her, and the reaction from teammates showed how much she meant to them in return. Wherever she plays next, she leaves Atlanta with a Finals run behind her and a free agency decision ahead of her.
