Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark’s Ex-Teammate & Others Offer Reactions As DeWanna Bonner Makes Emotional Admission After WNBA Finals Loss

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Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark’s Ex-Teammate & Others Offer Reactions As DeWanna Bonner Makes Emotional Admission After WNBA Finals Loss

Golden State Valkyries v Atlanta Dream ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 24: DeWanna Bonner 24 of the Atlanta Dream shoots the ball in the fourth quarter during game 4 of the WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA Finals between Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream at State Farm Arena on October 24, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta State Farm Arena GA United States Copyright: xAndrewxJ.xClark/ISIxPhotosx 10105 ©IMAGO/ISI Photos

Harshita Saxena · EssentiallySports

Wed, November 4, 2026 at 1:26 AM UTC ·

5 min read

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For months, one question followed DeWanna Bonner around the league: Is this the end? The 39-year-old never answered it. One team bought out her contract, another signed her, and she helped that team reach the WNBA Finals. Then the Dream lost Game 7, and the question got louder. Now, Bonner has finally spoken, and her words offer a glimpse into how she feels about her time in Atlanta.

Days after Atlanta's 68-63 loss to the Golden State Valkyries in the deciding game, Bonner posted a long, emotional message on Instagram on Tuesday :

"17 years in this league, and to still experience this kind of love, energy, and excitement is something I'll never take for granted. This move to Atlanta was life changing, far beyond winning or losing a championship! The happiness and joy that came with this city/team was unmatched! ❤️"

Bonner also took a moment to thank the people who made her time in Atlanta special. The Dream family and her teammates had welcomed her warmly, and she said she could not have asked for a better group. She added that their bond would last a lifetime. The fans also received a special mention, with the veteran expressing gratitude for their love and support since the day she arrived.

The WNBA Finals heartbreak has sparked raw honesty from one of the league's most respected veterans. Stay subscribed for the emotional stories and insider reactions shaping women's basketball.

But there was still one question she had to address. What comes next for the 39-year-old?

"And as for what's next? Just remember, if you didn't hear it from me, you haven't heard it yet. ????"

Her teammates and friends were quick to respond.

Angel Reese, her Dream teammate and the league's Defensive Player of the Year, was among the first. She wrote, "A honor to play with you no matter what next year looks like????????????".

Te-Hina Paopao, another Dream teammate and a former teammate of Caitlin Clark's, also shared her affection, writing, "so much love for you ms.deanna ❤️".

Saniya Rivers, a guard for the Connecticut Sun, where Bonner played for over five seasons, added, "Love you DB❤️????????".

Dream rookie guard Isobel Borlase joined in with a short message of her own: "thankyou DB❤️".

ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 04: Atlanta forward DeWanna Bonner 24 gives a low-five to teammate Jordin Canada 3 during the WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA second round playoff game between the New York Liberty and the Atlanta Dream on October 4th, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA. Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire WNBA: OCT 04 New York Liberty at Atlanta Dream EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon261004029

Bonner's journey to Atlanta began after the Phoenix Mercury dropped out of playoff contention. The team agreed to a buyout, and she cleared waivers on Aug. 26. Atlanta signed her the next day.

The veteran said she chose the Dream because of their fast-paced style and three-point shooting. The location was another plus, as the team was only about an hour and a half from her hometown.

"Great basketball, great location for me at the end of my career," she said.

And the move quickly paid off. When Allisha Gray hurt her hand in Game 1 of the semifinals, Bonner stepped up with 23 points and nine rebounds in a win over the Liberty. She followed that with 13 points and 13 rebounds in the series clincher in New York, helping Atlanta reach its first Finals since 2013. Her teammates often credited her leadership and experience for helping them get there.

However, the Finals proved to be a quieter affair for Bonner. She did not play more than 20 minutes in any game and finished the series with 26 points. Game 2 saw her record nine points and four steals as Atlanta won the first Finals game in franchise history. In Game 7, she scored four points in 14 minutes.

Still, the veteran made history along the way. Bonner became the first player in WNBA history to record 600 postseason defensive rebounds. She also extended her record for most playoff games played to 110.

The loss has now left Bonner at a crossroads. Her Dream contract ended with the Finals, making her an unrestricted free agent. Retirement remains a possibility, but she has not confirmed whether she plans to walk away, having earlier admitted that she did not know what the future held. If she continues playing, she will have the chance to add to her 8,243 career points. She currently ranks third on the WNBA's all-time scoring list, behind only Diana Taurasi and Tina Charles.

Meanwhile, Atlanta already seems to be looking ahead to another run. After Game 7, Reese, Jordin Canada, and Gray all said the Dream's core would return. Whether Bonner will be part of that group remains unclear.

For now, her own words offer the only hint about what comes next: if you did not hear it from her, you have not heard it yet.

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