'This Place Came Back At The Perfect Time': DeWanna Bonner Gets Sweet Message From Partner Natasha Howard On Her Return To Phoenix

Bonner played just nine games with Indiana before publicly voicing her frustrations on June 26. Less than a month later, she was back in Phoenix, reunited with familiar faces and a fanbase that has always embraced her.

In her first game back, the Mercury pulled off a 79–71 win over league-leading Minnesota Lynx. Following the victory, Bonner shared an emotional message for Mercury fans on social media.

“They say if you love something, it finds its way back!! This place came back at the perfect time! The love has been real, and I love you all back!! Thankful

‘602’ I’m back!

,” she wrote.

The post quickly drew heartfelt reactions from around the league, including former teammate Natasha Howard and her wife, Jac’Eil Duckworth, who dropped purple and orange hearts in support.

Howard: “

”

Jac’Eil: “

”

Bonner’s fiancée, Alyssa Thomas, also chimed in with, “Let’s go!!” along with a flurry of reactions from fellow WNBA players.

Satou Sabally: “Welcome to UUUUSSSSS >>>>>”

Kahleah Copper: “Right where you supposed to be!”

Kalani Brown: “

”

With Sabally currently sidelined by injury, Bonner’s return couldn’t have come at a better time for the Mercury.

“It’s a blessing to have her”: Kathryn Westbled praises DeWanna Bonner’s comeback

DeWanna Bonner’s return to Phoenix had everyone partying, including her teammates. Kathryn Westbled recently shared her thoughts about the return of the “legend” in their squad. 

Desert Wave Media shared the forward’s comments on X on Saturday. 

The excitement over Bonner’s homecoming reached the Mercury locker room, too. Teammate Kathryn Westbled expressed her gratitude and admiration for the WNBA veteran in a recent post by Desert Wave Media.

“It’s been awesome,” Westbled said. “I’m so grateful to have her here. She is obviously a tremendous player, tremendous person, a legend in the league, and just to have her as a mentor here, someone to look up to, ask questions—anything—I mean, it’s a blessing to have her.”

In her return game, Bonner logged 6 points and 6 rebounds in 26 minutes—modest stats, but an instant impact felt across the squad and the city.

Phoenix has its legend back. And from the looks of it, she’s exactly where she’s meant to be.