Bonner Booed By Fever Fans, Copper Responds

DeWanna Bonner's return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse as a Phoenix Mercury player was greeted with boos and 'quitter' chants from Indiana Fever fans, reflecting lingering frustration over her abrupt departure after just nine games. Bonner, a highly anticipated offseason signing for Indiana, struggled to integrate and requested a trade before being waived, citing poor fit. Mercury star Kahleah Copper condemned the fans' reaction as 'distasteful' and disrespectful to Bonner's WNBA legacy, while Bonner maintained her composure. Fever head coach Stephanie White and star Aliyah Boston avoided directly addressing the controversy, instead highlighting Indiana's 107-101 win, led by strong showings from Aari McDonald and Boston. On social media, some Fever fans sarcastically thanked Bonner for enabling McDonald's addition, expressing that her exit ultimately benefited the team. The incident underscores the emotional complexities in player-fan relationships when high-profile signings do not meet expectations.