It’s been nearly a month since DeWanna Bonner returned to the Phoenix Mercury, but the fallout from her tense exit from the Indiana Fever continues to spark reactions. The latest flashpoint came during the July 30 matchup between the two teams. The Indiana home crowd loudly booed Bonner as she stepped onto the court to face Caitlin Clark and company.
Amid the backlash, an unexpected show of support came from Fever forward Aliyah Boston. The two shared the court for nine games earlier this season, and Boston’s public defense of Bonner drew her some criticism from fans. But the 2023 WNBA number one draft pick responded with poise, standing by her words and calling for respect amid the criticism.
It all happened during the latest episode of Post Moves with Candace Parker & Aliyah Boston. The duo revisited the recent Indiana Fever vs. Phoenix Mercury matchup. As the conversation turned to the crowd’s reaction, Boston offered a perspective on the booing that DeWanna Bonner received. Interestingly, she explained that it’s not uncommon in the WNBA for visiting teams.
“Both times we’ve been to New York, when we were doing our runouts, people on our team were getting booed,” she revealed. But the Indiana Fever forward kept a calm demeanor through all that. So when Fever fans directed boos at Bonner, Boston had a similar response to the same. However, that got Caitlin Clark’s teammate unwarranted hate on the internet.
But Boston brushed off all this hate, stating, “I don’t understand. Everyone started coming at me. People were in my mentions, and I was like, ‘Dang, guys. I don’t know what you guys want me to say. Just vibe.’” While fans remain divided, many WNBA players have shown support for Bonner. Across the league, there’s a clear sense of empathy for the veteran forward.
Caitlin Clark’s teammate and others in support of Bonner’s departure
Following the Mercury-Fever showdown, Aliyah Boston was among the first to show support for DeWanna Bonner. Boston had a dominant performance, scoring 17 points in the decisive fourth quarter. This helped secure a win that spoiled Bonner’s return in front of the Indiana crowd. Yet despite the tension, she didn’t entertain any criticism directed at her former teammate.
“Honestly, that has nothing to do with me,” she said plainly in the post-game conference. “I think DB returned because we were playing Phoenix. So that happened to be that. The fans chose to do what they wanted to do.” With that, Boston dismissed the notion that Bonner deserved the boos or that she felt personally involved in the crowd’s reaction. However, she wasn’t alone in her stance.
Chicago, USA, June 23, 2024: Caitlin Clark 22 Indiana Fever speaks with Aliyah Boston 7 Indiana Fever during the game between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever on Sunday June 23, 2024 at Wintrust Arena, Chicago, USA. NO COMMERCIAL USAGE Shaina Benhiyoun/SPP PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxBRAxMEX Copyright: xShainaxBenhiyoun/SPPx spp-en-ShBe-8P6A8511
Minnesota Lynx players and popular streaming duo Studbudz, Natisha Hiedeman and Courtney Williams, echoed her view. Hiedeman pointed out that the booing wasn’t personal, but more about Bonner’s departure from the Fever. “If you left Minnesota tomorrow, they would boo the f*** out of you,” she said to her teammate during a livestream.
Williams fully agreed, adding her own perspective. “Booing is a sign of respect,” she said. She went on to explain that players of Bonner’s caliber receive boos precisely because they’re capable of shifting a game’s momentum. “If they were a nobody, they would not have been booed.” While opinions on Bonner’s exit remain divided, Caitlin Clark’s teammate made it clear: she refuses to get drawn into the drama.
It will be interesting to see what happens in the upcoming away game for Caitlin Clark and co against DeWanna Bonner and the Phoenix Mercury on August 7.
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