Indiana Fever will face the Seattle Sounders tonight at Climate Pledge Arena for the WNBA regular season. While Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham are back on the team after missing several games, DeWanna Bonner remains absent due to personal reasons.
Coach Stephanie White told reporters that Bonner has “no timeline” for her return. “She’s doing well, she’s doing well,” White said on Saturday, per Chloe Peterson from IndyStar. “Again, no timeline. I think it’s day-to-day, and for us to make sure that we’re continuing to be supportive of DB in her time away.”
Bonner, who joined the Fever during the offseason, has been away from the team since June 12. She has missed four games to date: victories over New York on June 14 and Connecticut on June 17, followed by losses to Golden State on June 19 and Las Vegas on June 22.
Bonner’s absence puts the Fever down to 10 available players for now. With Bonner’s absence, the expected starting Fever lineup includes Lexie Hull, Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, Natasha Howard, and Aliyah Boston.
Bonner’s absence raises questions about future with Fever
DeWanna Bonner’s role with the Indiana Fever has been limited this season, averaging just 21.3 minutes per game. That’s the fewest minutes she has played since her rookie year with the Phoenix Mercury in 2009. Her recent absence has sparked speculation about her future with the team.
Although there has been no official statement from the Fever or Bonner, fans have begun to speculate that she may be seeking a trade to Phoenix, where her partner Alyssa Thomas plays, or possibly considering retirement.
Could the Fever add reinforcements?
Although the Fever aren’t yet eligible to sign a hardship contract player, they could be left with just nine available players if DeWanna Bonner remains out and Damiris Dantas leaves to join Brazil’s national team for the FIBA AmeriCup later this month. Dantas is expected to miss five games from June 26 through July 8.
Indiana may look to strengthen its roster after the conclusion of EuroBasket in early July, when other WNBA teams begin to make roster moves. The Valkyries, for instance, have temporarily added several players, including Bree Hall, whom the Fever originally drafted 20th overall. Hall and others could become available once the FIBA tournament ends and may be considered by Indiana if Bonner and Damiris Dantas remain unavailable.