The Indiana Fever and the Phoenix Mercury matchups were filled with controversies and intense moments, featuring Caitlin Clark and DeWanna Bonner. The latest moment came in the second quarter of the second consecutive game between the two teams on Wednesday, when Alyssa Thomas got Clark’s neck under her fist. After the WNBA announced a one-game suspension for Thomas based on the postgame inspection, her Mercury teammates have come behind their star.
The moment came in the second quarter when the Fever led 41-38, and Clark drove to the basket with the ball. The guard hit three defenders and crashed to the floor as Thomas tried snatching the ball, but instead got Clark’s neck under her fist. However, officials did not see the foul and continued the play.
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The league launched an investigation into the contact and found Thomas in violation, announcing a one-game suspension for the forward. Meanwhile, her teammates, including DeWanna Bonner, Valériane Ayayi and others, posted stories in solidarity with her teammate on social media. A user shared the posts on X and wrote:
“Phoenix Mercury teammates posted their latest on their Instagram story ahead of tomorrow’s road game against the Toronto Tempo.”
Ayayi shared a message on her Instagram story:
Another teammate, Sami Whitcomb, who is out due to injury, wrote:
Meanwhile, DeWanna Bonner wrote on Instagram:
“Forever got your front and your back!! We love you! !”
Lexi Held wrote:
“We all riding with AT”
Even though the Mercury are reeling this season, with a dismal 6-13 record thus far, the unity among the roster is a positive sign for the management and the team. Kahleah Copper and Thomas’ duo have looked good in some games, but the team has been inconsistent.
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“Just build confidence,” DeWanna Bonner hopes for a strong next phase in the season
The Phoenix Mercury have not started the season well. They have found a new confidence after edging out the Fever, 111-109. After her altercation with Clark in the previous game on June 22, DeWanna Bonner had an all-around performance in the next one. She scored 13 points and eight rebounds, with two steals, one block, and a plus-minus of +13.
After the game, Bonner seemed focused on improving her and the team’s performance further in the season. She said:
“Just build confidence. It just shows our character. We stick together no matter what. And it’s taken a little minute to find our groove, but this was a huge win for us.”
The Mercury will now face the Toronto Tempo, who are coming off a win against the LA Sparks. Meanwhile, the Indiana Fever will battle the Sparks in their next game, and the Fever will have to step up if they want to finish strong.
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