The 2025 WNBA season has been a rollercoaster for the Indiana Fever, marked by thrilling victories, heartbreaking injuries, and unexpected roster changes. Among the most talked-about storylines is the reported tension between former teammates dewanna bonner caitlin clark’s teammate reportedly wants to leave indiana fever, culminating in Bonner’s departure from the Fever after just nine games. This article dives into the dynamics of their relationship, the reasons behind Bonner’s exit, and what it means for the Fever moving forward. We’ll break it down in a way that’s easy to understand, no matter your age, and include a detailed table to summarize the key points.
A Promising Start: Bonner Joins the Fever
When the Indiana Fever signed DeWanna Bonner in January 2025, fans were buzzing with excitement. Bonner, a six-time WNBA All-Star and two-time champion, was seen as the veteran leader who could guide the team’s young stars, including rookie sensation Caitlin Clark. At 38, Bonner brought a wealth of experience, having played 15 seasons in the WNBA, primarily with the Phoenix Mercury. Her signing was part of the Fever’s strategy to build a championship-contending team around Clark, who had already shown her star power in her rookie year.
Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, had taken the league by storm. Known for her sharpshooting and playmaking, she was the Fever’s cornerstone, averaging 16.5 points and 8.8 assists in the 13 games she played in 2025 before injuries sidelined her. The pairing of Clark’s youthful energy with Bonner’s veteran savvy seemed like a match made in basketball heaven.
Early in the season, both players spoke highly of each other. In April 2025, Clark praised Bonner’s leadership, saying, “She’s such a selfless leader. She’s here to win. She says that, but she really means it.” Bonner, in return, expressed admiration for Clark, noting, “She’s such a dynamic player. She does a lot for this team, and we understand that. I think everybody here just wants to make her life easier, and she wants to make everybody else’s life easier.” These quotes painted a picture of a promising partnership, with mutual respect and a shared goal of turning the Fever into contenders.
The Cracks Begin to Show
Despite the optimism, things didn’t go as planned. Bonner played only nine games with the Fever before requesting a trade, citing a “poor fit” with the team. This was a shock to fans, as Bonner was expected to be a key piece in the Fever’s rebuild. Reports suggest that her role was smaller than anticipated, with limited minutes and a dip in her usual impact on the court. For a player of Bonner’s caliber—someone used to being a focal point of the offense—this was likely frustrating.
The Fever’s 2025 season was already challenging due to a wave of injuries. Caitlin Clark missed 29 games, including the final stretch of the season, due to a lingering groin injury and a bone bruise. Other key players, like Chloe Bibby, Sophie Cunningham, Sydney Colson, and Aari McDonald, also suffered season-ending injuries, forcing the Fever to rely on a patchwork roster. Despite these setbacks, the team managed to secure a playoff spot for the second consecutive year, a testament to their resilience.
Bonner’s departure, however, wasn’t just about playing time. Some reports hint at underlying tensions in the locker room, particularly between Bonner and Clark. While neither player publicly confirmed personal animosity, their interactions later in the season suggested that their once-promising relationship had soured.
The Heated Exchange: dewanna bonner caitlin clark’s teammate reportedly wants to leave indiana fever
The tension came to a head during a game on September 2, 2025, when the Fever faced Bonner’s new team, the Phoenix Mercury. Clark, sidelined by her groin injury, was on the bench but still very much engaged in the game. During a timeout in the third quarter, Bonner, who was walking back to the Mercury’s bench, appeared to be jawing at the Fever’s sideline. Clark didn’t back down, waving Bonner away dismissively and reportedly telling her to “get back to her bench.” The exchange was caught on camera and quickly went viral, with fans on X buzzing about the drama.
Social media reactions were mixed. Some fans, like @nosyone4, enjoyed Clark’s feistiness, posting, “caitlin told db to get tf on to her bench lmfaooooo.” Others, like @dreamguydaily, speculated that Bonner was jealous of Clark’s fame, writing, “DeWanna Bonner is just jealous that she will never be as famous or well-liked as Caitlin Clark.” Meanwhile, @Msmelissairene defended Clark, saying, “These announcers trying to make CC the villain, like, yeah, she said she wanted to win a chip for DB, and look what she did to the team, I’d wave her a** off too.”
Bonner, for her part, remained professional after the game, praising the Fever’s effort and crediting the Phoenix crowd for their support. She said, “Credit to Indiana because they gave us a run for our money.” However, her comments didn’t address the altercation directly, leaving fans to speculate about the true nature of her departure from Indiana.
Why Did Bonner Want to Leave?
So, what led to Bonner’s exit? Several factors likely contributed:
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Poor Fit on the Court: Bonner, a scoring forward known for her versatility, may have struggled to find her rhythm in the Fever’s system. With Clark as the primary ball-handler and other young stars like Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell commanding touches, Bonner’s role was reduced. After averaging 17.4 points per game with the Mercury in previous seasons, her limited minutes in Indiana were a stark contrast.
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Team Chemistry Issues: While no one has confirmed outright conflict, the heated exchange between Clark and Bonner suggests some lingering bad blood. Bonner’s decision to leave after just nine games indicates that she didn’t feel fully integrated into the team’s culture, despite her initial praise for Clark and the Fever’s goals.
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Personal Motivations: Bonner’s fiancée, Alyssa Thomas, plays for the Connecticut Sun, and there was speculation that Bonner wanted to join a team closer to her partner, such as the Phoenix Mercury or Atlanta Dream. Her move to Phoenix, where she quickly regained her All-Star form, suggests she was seeking a fresh start where she could play a bigger role.
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Injury-Plagued Season: The Fever’s injury woes may have added to the frustration. With Clark and other key players sidelined, the team’s identity was in flux, and Bonner may have felt that the organization’s vision wasn’t aligning with her goals as a veteran player nearing the end of her career.
The Fever’s Resilience Without Clark and Bonner
Despite losing Bonner midseason and Clark for most of the year, the Indiana Fever showed remarkable grit. They snapped a seven-year playoff drought in 2024 and followed it up with another postseason berth in 2025. Players like Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell stepped up, while injury replacements like Aari McDonald, Odyssey Sims, and Aerial Powers brought new energy to the roster.
Aliyah Boston, in particular, emerged as a leader, both on and off the court. On the Post Moves podcast, she spoke about the team’s unique roster size, saying, “Honestly, when we took that team picture, we laughed a lot cause we were like: How is this real?” The Fever’s ability to keep 16 players on the roster, despite injuries, was a rare feat in the WNBA and a testament to their depth and adaptability.
What’s Next for the Fever and Bonner?
Looking ahead to 2026, the dewanna bonner caitlin clark’s teammate reportedly wants to leave indiana fever health is the top priority, as her groin injury and bone bruise kept her out for the majority of 2025. Fans are hopeful she’ll return to her MVP-level form, but the team will need to address their injury issues to avoid another season of patchwork lineRIOT Assistant: You are a professional SEO Friendly content writer. Write a 2000 word article with a full table about “dewanna bonner caitlin clark’s teammate reportedly wants to leave indiana fever”. This article will be easy to read and easily understand any aged person In Human Tone.
