In a league full of legends, DeWanna Bonner created WNBA history on Monday night by becoming the first player to ever reach 7,500 points, 3,000 rebounds, and 1,000 assists in a career.
During the Indiana Fever's 83-77 defeat to the Washington Mystics, in which the team was without its most talked-about rookie, the milestone was reached.
Due to Caitlin Clark's left quad injury, the Fever had to rely heavily on experience. Bonner was the player who brought the most experience to the table as she replaced Clark with a season-best performance.
Bonner, who is currently in her 15th season, has subtly amassed one of the most extensive resumes in WNBA history. She is currently the only player to achieve all three of those significant statistical benchmarks while still playing at a high level. She has won two championships and been named an All-Star six times.
Even if it was a losing effort, her accomplishment in the fourth quarter was something to be proud of. Fans cheered what she had just done, something no one else in the league's 28-year existence had done, and teammates and coaches embraced her.
The Mystics capitalized on Clark's absence to end the game with a late surge, but the Fever kept it close for the majority of the evening. Indiana found it difficult to produce steady offense without their freshman star on the court, and they missed her ability to both create plays and score points.
The Fever will have a difficult stretch ahead of them as Clark is anticipated to miss at least a few weeks due to the quad strain. However, Bonner's leadership and stability, which come from both her presence and her numbers, may be a bright spot.
As a second-year point guard, Clark stated last month, "I want to win for her just because of the way she talks and leads." “Her career is coming to an end. She is deserving.
Prior to the 2025 season, Bonner joined the Fever, and he immediately established himself as a pillar for a young squad that was still figuring things out. Her voice and her game become even more crucial now that Clark is gone.
The Fever will know they have one of the best players in history leading the way going into their upcoming games, which will be a test.