Mercury's DeWanna Bonner moves up WNBA all-time list

Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Mercury's DeWanna Bonner moves up WNBA all-time list

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Jul 14, 2026 9:57 AM ET

One of the longest tenured WNBA stars, DeWanna Bonner continues to move up all-time lists in her 17th season in the league.

And on Monday night, Bonner did exactly that even though it wasn't enough to help her team win in the end.

DeWanna Bonner passed a WNBA legend on an all-time list

In the second quarter of the struggling Phoenix Mercury's 104-100 loss to the Minnesota Lynx, Bonner passed the legendary Sheryl Swoopes on the WNBA's career steals leaderboard.

Bonner's 658th career steal moved her up to sixth place. She's now behind fellow league veteran Nneka Ogwumike for a spot in the top five.

DeWanna Bonner put her full skills on display

But beyond her steal, Bonner showed she can still do everything on the court even at 38. She was a rebound away from a double-double, scoring 17 points in 33 minutes, going 6-for-12 from the field while adding nine boards and three assists.

Movement on the leaderboard

With her steal in the 2Q, DeWanna Bonner passed Sheryl Swoopes on the WNBA's all‑time steals list, moving into 6th place.#WNBASeason30 pic.twitter.com/YT3VhV96oS
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 14, 2026

Her 17 points against Minnesota was the second most she's put up in a single game this season, only behind her 19 points in a win over the expansion Portland Fire on June 5.

Bonner is averaging 9.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 37.8% in 25 games played so far in the 2026 campaign.

DeWanna Bonner has put together a Hall of Fame career

Phoenix's fifth overall pick in the 2009 WNBA Draft out of Auburn, Bonner is now in her first full season back with the Mercury after she rejoined the franchise in July 2025. She initially played 10 seasons with Phoenix from 2009-19 - she missed 2017 due to maternity leave - and led the Mercury to two WNBA titles (2009, 2014).

A six-time All-Star, Bonner carries career averages of 14.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game in 560 appearances and 380 starts during two stints with the Mercury and time spent with the Connecticut Sun and Indiana Fever.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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