DeWanna Bonner Shines in Dream’s Playoff Victory
ATLANTA — DeWanna Bonner was signed for moments like this.
After parting ways with the Phoenix Mercury in late August, she joined the Atlanta Dream, bringing with her an impressive history that includes six All-Star selections, two WNBA titles, and a record 101 playoff appearances.
The Dream wasn’t necessarily looking for her to be the star. What they needed was her veteran presence and leadership.
But on Sunday, they got a standout performance too.
With Allisha Gray out due to an injury to her left hand, Bonner stepped up in a big way, contributing immensely to the Dream’s 92-82 victory over the Liberty in the semifinals.
Bonner scored 23 points, pulled down nine rebounds, and provided two assists during her more than 30 minutes on the court as a substitute.
Going into halftime, the Dream found themselves down 40-37 with Gray unavailable for the rest of the game. They needed someone to support the offense and offer reliable scoring alongside Jordin Canada and Rhyne Howard.
And Bonner answered the call.
Not only did she help keep the team afloat in Gray’s absence, but she also delivered an inspiring halftime speech that seemed to ignite the Dream during a dominant third quarter. This performance allowed Atlanta to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
There are still questions surrounding Gray’s ability to return for the remainder of the playoffs. Coach Karl Smesko had no immediate updates post-game. “Hopefully she’ll be OK,” was all Smesko could offer.
If Gray remains sidelined, the Dream have Bonner to lean on.
It’s worth noting that filling Gray’s shoes won’t be easy; she led the team this season with an average of 19 points per game. Still, Bonner stepped up significantly, scoring 10-of-18 from the field and knocking down three three-pointers on Sunday.
In future games, scoring might be spread out more evenly among the team’s players.
However, Bonner demonstrated on Sunday, perhaps in what could be her last playoff stint, that at 39 years old, she still possesses the ability to change the course of a game.
“She’s a fantastic player,” said Liberty coach Chris DeMarco. “She protects the rim, has the ability to make threes, and attacks the basket on offense. That’s a great addition for them. She fits their system well and made a significant impact in this win.”
Satou Sabally’s Return to Unrivaled
Meanwhile, Satou Sabally is set to make her return to Unrivaled for another season. Sabally participated in the inaugural season of the 3-on-3 basketball league in 2025 but missed last season due to a concussion she sustained during the 2025 WNBA Finals.
Unfortunately, she encountered another concussion in late June, which cut her WNBA season short. The Liberty officially ruled her out last month.
