Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK; Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Caitlin Clark’s Message to DeWanna Bonner Made Clear After New Video Emerges

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Parker Johnson | Last updated Sep 3, 2025 12:29 PM ET

Caitlin Clark did not play in the Indiana Fever's 85-79 loss to the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday night, but her contentious interaction with former teammate DeWanna Bonner turned plenty of heads.

Bonner started the season on Indiana's roster, but she requested to be released after playing just nine games, claiming "the fit did not work out." The two-time WNBA champion signed with Phoenix, and hard feelings lingered in Indianapolis — the crowd booed Bonner when she returned on July 30.

With the season series tied 1-1 and playoff positioning on the line, the Fever's visit to PHX Arena on Tuesday had more on the line than just bragging rights.

The tension of the contest was captured by Clark's clash with Bonner, shown clearly and with full audio in a video recorded from a courtside fan at the game.

Watch: New Video of Caitlin Clark, DeWanna Bonner Interaction

The new video confirmed what Mercury analyst Ann Meyers Drysdale suggested during the game broadcast.

Though her dismissive waving gesture fueled dramatic reactions, Clark's verbal message to Bonner was nothing more than disagreement over a foul call.

hoping for a first round merc vs fever matchup #purecinema pic.twitter.com/FHLKtOldfP
— Herb Jackson Jr (@herbjacksonjr) September 3, 2025

"That's not a foul!" Clark said repeatedly in Bonner's direction. There was also an official in the vicinity who may have been an additional target for the 23-year-old's complaints.

Their disagreement stemmed from a shooting foul on Bonner whistled against Fever guard Lexie Hull with 8:13 left in the game and the Fever trailing by eight points. Head coach Stephanie White challenged the call, but she and Clark were proven wrong when the call was upheld.

Bonner sunk both free throws, part of a 19-point performance that helped the Mercury hang on for the win. Alyssa Thomas led the team with 23 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.

Alyssa Thomas told me succinctly how much of an advantage it is playing against Stephanie White’s scheme.

“We know everything they’re about to do.” pic.twitter.com/tBq2TEP41o
— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) September 3, 2025

It was the last meeting of the regular season between the two teams, but a playoff matchup is not out of the question and would hold even more intrigue after what happened on Tuesday.

The Mercury already clinched a postseason berth, but they could finish anywhere from the No. 2 seed to the No. 5 seed. The Fever's possible outcomes range from No. 5 to missing the playoffs at No. 9.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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