PHOENIX \u2013 On the heels of standout performances by Alyssa Thomas and Sami Whitcomb, the Phoenix Mercury announced Tuesday the return of two-time WNBA champion forward DeWanna Bonner. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe couldn\u2019t be more excited to have DeWanna back in a Mercury uniform,\u201d Mercury general manager Nick U\u2019Ren said. \u201cShe is a true winner, leader and one of the most talented and versatile players in our game. Her high basketball IQ, shooting range, athleticism and ability to play and defend multiple positions is going to be a great addition to what are we building here in Phoenix.\u201d <\/p>\n
Bonner spent the first 10 seasons of her career with the Mercury, helping the team to two WNBA championships. She joins a versatile team that secured standout efforts Monday from Thomas and Whitcomb in the Mercury\u2019s 102-72 win over Dallas at PHX Arena<\/p>\n
Thomas, who recently received her sixth All-Star nod, extended her WNBA career record with her 16th career triple-double \u2013 and her first as a member of the Mercury. Whitcomb made seven 3-pointers in a game for the second time.<\/p>\n
This season wasn\u2019t always smooth sailing for Whitcomb. After starting the year slowly, she has turned things around and found her footing in a Mercury uniform.<\/p>\n
Thomas and Whitcomb were all smiles en route to the win over Dallas, which ended a two-game skid. Thomas finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds and 15 assists. Whitcomb had a career-high night, scoring 36 points.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always nice to get a triple-double,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cTo get my first one in a Mercury uniform and to have the crowd behind you and cheering you on like that, it\u2019s overwhelming.\u201d<\/p>\n
At one point, the Mercury came up with a steal and fastbreak opportunity, and the fans in the X-Factor rose in anticipation. <\/p>\n
Whitcomb hustled down the floor to get to one of her sweet spots, and as the ball found her on the wing, she hit her fourth 3 of the first quarter.<\/p>\n
With the crowd still on its feet, Thomas joined in on the fun a few possessions later, making a dish to Kiana Williams for a bucket and following it up with a steal on the other end.<\/p>\n
She became the first player this season to dish out 15 assists three times and tied the WNBA record for most 15-assist games in a single season.<\/p>\n
\u201cHer all-around game is pretty impressive,\u201d Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts said. \u201cWhen she rebounds it, it changes the game because now she\u2019s pushing it in transition.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Mercury have been on fire from deep this season, leading the league in 3-pointers per game. Whitcomb has been vital to that success, leading the team with 43 3-pointers. <\/p>\n
Whitcomb\u2019s 3-point shooting was her calling card when the Mercury brought her in during the offseason.But after a rocky start to the season, Whitcomb found herself struggling to hit the 3.<\/p>\n
Whitcomb averaged 7.4 points on 24% shooting from 3-point range during the first 11 games. But through her work and her teammates’ trust in her, she kept on shooting until she finally broke out in the Mercury\u2019s 76-70 win over Las Vegas on June 15.<\/p>\n
Since then, Whitcomb has nailed four or more 3-pointers in six of her last seven games.<\/p>\n
During that span, Whitcomb is averaging 17 points on a scorching hot 49% from beyond the arc.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the thing about it. Shots fall, then they don\u2019t fall. Everything we\u2019ve been focusing on has been are they good shots,\u201d Whitcomb said. \u201cWe talked about the math mathing, and it finally has now.\u201d<\/p>\n
After knocking down five 3-pointers vs the Liberty on June 27, Whitcomb said that her hard work is what keeps her grounded through rough stretches. Tibbetts said her strong work ethic is no secret.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s self-made. Her work ethic is second to none,\u201d Tibbetts said. \u201cYesterday, she got two workouts in before the start of practice. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s been everything we hoped for and more: her professionalism and her approach,\u201d Tibbetts added. \u201cI\u2019m just really glad I\u2019ve gotten the opportunity to coach someone like her. She\u2019s special.\u201d<\/p>\n
Monday\u2019s win was the second game of a back-to-back against Dallas. The Mercury previously fell to the Wings in Dallas, but rectified that loss with Monday\u2019s blowout.<\/p>\n
The Mercury\u2019s huge win came without All-Star Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper, who were both out with injury.<\/p>\n
\u201c(Thomas) set the tone. We did not have a very good performance in Dallas,\u201d Tibbetts said. \u201cThey played a good game, and I didn\u2019t think we were up to the challenge that night. So, I\u2019m really proud of our crew for responding the way they did.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thomas did it all for the Mercury in the win, even taking the opportunity to guard 2025 No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just took it upon myself to guard her,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cDefense has been what I\u2019ve been known for. I\u2019m always up for a challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thomas has been vocal about the Mercury\u2019s success being intertwined with their defensive prowess.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hang our hat on defense. AT is a really good leader when it comes to that and holding us accountable,\u201d Mercury center Kalani Brown said. \u201cIt\u2019s all about trust. As long as my teammates got my back, I can be as high as I need to be and (have) time to get back.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the start of the season, Tibbetts and his staff emphasized the importance of adding shooters around Thomas. With another 15-assist game and a triple-double, Thomas and Whitcomb have found a rhythm as a high-ball screen and dribble handoff duo.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been trying to play with Sami for a long time,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cSami just has such a high IQ and just really understands my thought process. We\u2019ve played a lot of two on two, just getting in sync. And we came up with that play where I just back down from the free-throw line, and she’s coming around. So just being on that same wavelength has been a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
Whitcomb\u2019s 36 points were 11 points shy of Diana Taurasi franchise record. When asked if she was gunning for the record, she laughed it off.<\/p>\n
\u201cI appreciate the question, but no. I didn\u2019t factor that in,\u201d Whitcomb said. \u201cI wasn\u2019t thinking about anything other than trying to win and continuing to shoot wide-open looks.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Mercury\u2019s front office aimed to add a collection of shooters around Thomas this offseason, which led to a flourishing of her playmaking. Thomas has been stellar in her first season with the Mercury. In her 14 games, the Mercury have tallied a 11-3 record. Thomas has already had eight double-doubles. <\/p>\n
She has recorded double-digit assist numbers seven times this season and has knocked on the door of breaking the Mercury\u2019s single-game assist record several times.<\/p>\n
Despite a great start to the season, Thomas was not named an All-Star starter.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been around some great players and all of them are motivated by different things,\u201d Tibbetts said. \u201cShe\u2019s maybe been overlooked and taken advantage of for how great she is. It\u2019s very disappointing that she wasn\u2019t named one of the ten starters in our league.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thomas has orchestrated a top-five offense and a top-five defense. With Thomas in the lineup, the Mercury average 87.7 points and have an offensive rating of 110.7. Those numbers would lead the league.<\/p>\n
The Mercury will have a challenge on their hands come Wednesday, as they will play first-place Minnesota at home. The Lynx enter Wednesday\u2019s game at 17-2 and have two wins over the Mercury already.<\/p>\n
With no injury update to Sabally and Copper, Thomas and Whitcomb must continue to shoulder the load.<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing changes whether they\u2019re playing or not,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cFor us, it\u2019s going out there and competing and allowing them to focus on their rehab.\u201d<\/p>\n
This will be Minnesota\u2019s second visit to PHX Arena to face off against the Mercury in front of the X-Factor faithful. Whitcomb knows how difficult it can be to play in front of the X-Factor.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe really rely on them [and] their energy and support. It\u2019s hard to play here when they\u2019re like that,\u201d Whitcomb said. \u201cIt\u2019s really exciting when they can get involved, and it\u2019s nice when you\u2019re the shotmaker that\u2019s getting them involved.\u201d<\/p>\n
This <a target=”_blank” href=”https:\/\/cronkitenews.azpbs.org\/2025\/07\/08\/phoenix-mercury-alyssa-thomas-sami-whitcomb-dewanna-bonner\/”>article<\/a> first appeared on <a target=”_blank” href=”https:\/\/cronkitenews.azpbs.org”>Cronkite News<\/a> and is republished here under a <a target=”_blank” href=”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nd\/4.0\/”>Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAfter Alyssa Thomas, Sami Whitcomb come up big for Mercury, team announces return of DeWanna Bonner<\/p>\n
Dorian Waller, Cronkite News
\nJuly 8, 2025<\/p>\n
PHOENIX \u2013 On the heels of standout performances by Alyssa Thomas and Sami Whitcomb, the Phoenix Mercury announced Tuesday the return of two-time WNBA champion forward DeWanna Bonner. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe couldn\u2019t be more excited to have DeWanna back in a Mercury uniform,\u201d Mercury general manager Nick U\u2019Ren said. \u201cShe is a true winner, leader and one of the most talented and versatile players in our game. Her high basketball IQ, shooting range, athleticism and ability to play and defend multiple positions is going to be a great addition to what are we building here in Phoenix.\u201d <\/p>\n
Bonner spent the first 10 seasons of her career with the Mercury, helping the team to two WNBA championships. She joins a versatile team that secured standout efforts Monday from Thomas and Whitcomb in the Mercury\u2019s 102-72 win over Dallas at PHX Arena<\/p>\n
Thomas, who recently received her sixth All-Star nod, extended her WNBA career record with her 16th career triple-double \u2013 and her first as a member of the Mercury. Whitcomb made seven 3-pointers in a game for the second time.<\/p>\n
This season wasn\u2019t always smooth sailing for Whitcomb. After starting the year slowly, she has turned things around and found her footing in a Mercury uniform.<\/p>\n
Thomas and Whitcomb were all smiles en route to the win over Dallas, which ended a two-game skid. Thomas finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds and 15 assists. Whitcomb had a career-high night, scoring 36 points.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always nice to get a triple-double,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cTo get my first one in a Mercury uniform and to have the crowd behind you and cheering you on like that, it\u2019s overwhelming.\u201d<\/p>\n
At one point, the Mercury came up with a steal and fastbreak opportunity, and the fans in the X-Factor rose in anticipation. <\/p>\n
Whitcomb hustled down the floor to get to one of her sweet spots, and as the ball found her on the wing, she hit her fourth 3 of the first quarter.<\/p>\n
With the crowd still on its feet, Thomas joined in on the fun a few possessions later, making a dish to Kiana Williams for a bucket and following it up with a steal on the other end.<\/p>\n
She became the first player this season to dish out 15 assists three times and tied the WNBA record for most 15-assist games in a single season.<\/p>\n
\u201cHer all-around game is pretty impressive,\u201d Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts said. \u201cWhen she rebounds it, it changes the game because now she\u2019s pushing it in transition.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Mercury have been on fire from deep this season, leading the league in 3-pointers per game. Whitcomb has been vital to that success, leading the team with 43 3-pointers. <\/p>\n
Whitcomb\u2019s 3-point shooting was her calling card when the Mercury brought her in during the offseason.But after a rocky start to the season, Whitcomb found herself struggling to hit the 3.<\/p>\n
Whitcomb averaged 7.4 points on 24% shooting from 3-point range during the first 11 games. But through her work and her teammates’ trust in her, she kept on shooting until she finally broke out in the Mercury\u2019s 76-70 win over Las Vegas on June 15.<\/p>\n
Since then, Whitcomb has nailed four or more 3-pointers in six of her last seven games.<\/p>\n
During that span, Whitcomb is averaging 17 points on a scorching hot 49% from beyond the arc.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the thing about it. Shots fall, then they don\u2019t fall. Everything we\u2019ve been focusing on has been are they good shots,\u201d Whitcomb said. \u201cWe talked about the math mathing, and it finally has now.\u201d<\/p>\n
After knocking down five 3-pointers vs the Liberty on June 27, Whitcomb said that her hard work is what keeps her grounded through rough stretches. Tibbetts said her strong work ethic is no secret.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s self-made. Her work ethic is second to none,\u201d Tibbetts said. \u201cYesterday, she got two workouts in before the start of practice. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s been everything we hoped for and more: her professionalism and her approach,\u201d Tibbetts added. \u201cI\u2019m just really glad I\u2019ve gotten the opportunity to coach someone like her. She\u2019s special.\u201d<\/p>\n
Monday\u2019s win was the second game of a back-to-back against Dallas. The Mercury previously fell to the Wings in Dallas, but rectified that loss with Monday\u2019s blowout.<\/p>\n
The Mercury\u2019s huge win came without All-Star Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper, who were both out with injury.<\/p>\n
\u201c(Thomas) set the tone. We did not have a very good performance in Dallas,\u201d Tibbetts said. \u201cThey played a good game, and I didn\u2019t think we were up to the challenge that night. So, I\u2019m really proud of our crew for responding the way they did.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thomas did it all for the Mercury in the win, even taking the opportunity to guard 2025 No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just took it upon myself to guard her,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cDefense has been what I\u2019ve been known for. I\u2019m always up for a challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thomas has been vocal about the Mercury\u2019s success being intertwined with their defensive prowess.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hang our hat on defense. AT is a really good leader when it comes to that and holding us accountable,\u201d Mercury center Kalani Brown said. \u201cIt\u2019s all about trust. As long as my teammates got my back, I can be as high as I need to be and (have) time to get back.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the start of the season, Tibbetts and his staff emphasized the importance of adding shooters around Thomas. With another 15-assist game and a triple-double, Thomas and Whitcomb have found a rhythm as a high-ball screen and dribble handoff duo.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been trying to play with Sami for a long time,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cSami just has such a high IQ and just really understands my thought process. We\u2019ve played a lot of two on two, just getting in sync. And we came up with that play where I just back down from the free-throw line, and she’s coming around. So just being on that same wavelength has been a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
Whitcomb\u2019s 36 points were 11 points shy of Diana Taurasi franchise record. When asked if she was gunning for the record, she laughed it off.<\/p>\n
\u201cI appreciate the question, but no. I didn\u2019t factor that in,\u201d Whitcomb said. \u201cI wasn\u2019t thinking about anything other than trying to win and continuing to shoot wide-open looks.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Mercury\u2019s front office aimed to add a collection of shooters around Thomas this offseason, which led to a flourishing of her playmaking. Thomas has been stellar in her first season with the Mercury. In her 14 games, the Mercury have tallied a 11-3 record. Thomas has already had eight double-doubles. <\/p>\n
She has recorded double-digit assist numbers seven times this season and has knocked on the door of breaking the Mercury\u2019s single-game assist record several times.<\/p>\n
Despite a great start to the season, Thomas was not named an All-Star starter.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been around some great players and all of them are motivated by different things,\u201d Tibbetts said. \u201cShe\u2019s maybe been overlooked and taken advantage of for how great she is. It\u2019s very disappointing that she wasn\u2019t named one of the ten starters in our league.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thomas has orchestrated a top-five offense and a top-five defense. With Thomas in the lineup, the Mercury average 87.7 points and have an offensive rating of 110.7. Those numbers would lead the league.<\/p>\n
The Mercury will have a challenge on their hands come Wednesday, as they will play first-place Minnesota at home. The Lynx enter Wednesday\u2019s game at 17-2 and have two wins over the Mercury already.<\/p>\n
With no injury update to Sabally and Copper, Thomas and Whitcomb must continue to shoulder the load.<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing changes whether they\u2019re playing or not,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cFor us, it\u2019s going out there and competing and allowing them to focus on their rehab.\u201d<\/p>\n
This will be Minnesota\u2019s second visit to PHX Arena to face off against the Mercury in front of the X-Factor faithful. Whitcomb knows how difficult it can be to play in front of the X-Factor.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe really rely on them [and] their energy and support. It\u2019s hard to play here when they\u2019re like that,\u201d Whitcomb said. \u201cIt\u2019s really exciting when they can get involved, and it\u2019s nice when you\u2019re the shotmaker that\u2019s getting them involved.\u201d<\/p>\n
This article first appeared on Cronkite News and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.<\/p>\n
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