The Connecticut Sun took the lead in their WNBA Playoff semifinal series against the Minnesota Lynx, securing a narrow 73-70 victory on the road. During this win, veteran forward DeWanna Bonner made history by appearing in her 83rd playoff game, as reported by ESPN, marking the highest number of playoff appearances for any player in WNBA history.
As one of the league’s oldest players, Bonner was selected as the No. 5 overall pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft by the Phoenix Mercury. She is also the sole player on the Sun’s roster with a championship ring.
In Game 1, Bonner delivered a solid performance with ten points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and a blocked shot over 33 minutes. Throughout her 15-year career in the WNBA, she has reached the playoffs in all but one season—2012, during which she did not play because she was giving birth to twins.
In 2012, while playing for the Mercury, Bonner experienced a challenging season as the team ended with a 7-27 record. However, this performance led to the Mercury securing the top pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft, later used to select Brittney Griner. Bonner captured two championships with the Mercury, winning her first in 2009 and another in 2014.
DeWanna Bonner’s Importance to the Sun
With Bonner reaching this milestone in playoff appearances, the Sun are optimistic that their success will continue throughout the postseason. The Sun stands among only three franchises—including the Atlanta Dream and New York Liberty—that have yet to secure a WNBA championship.
They have reached the WNBA Finals twice before, first in 2019 and again in 2022. Bonner joined the Sun ahead of the 2020 season in a sign-and-trade agreement with the Mercury and played a key role in their run to the Finals in 2022.
Her playoff career averages include 13.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals, with a shooting percentage of 40.2 from the field, 30.3 from three-point territory, and 88.4 from the free-throw line.
This year, Bonner earned her sixth All-Star selection, participating in all 40 regular-season games for the Sun, averaging just over 31 minutes per outing. She recorded averages of 15.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.2 steals, with shooting splits of 41.4 percent from the field, 29.4 percent from beyond the arc, and 83.2 percent from the free-throw line.
Additionally, Bonner was named to the WNBA’s All-Defensive Second Team.
The Sun currently lead their WNBA Semifinal series 1-0, with Game 2 scheduled for Tuesday in Minnesota. The semifinals are structured as a best-of-five series.
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