Emotions ran high on Tuesday night as the Indiana Fever fell 85-79 to the Phoenix Mercury, and although Caitlin Clark wasn’t in uniform, she still made her presence felt.
The rookie star, currently sidelined with a lingering right groin injury, was watching from the bench when things got heated in the fourth quarter. During a timeout, Clark appeared visibly frustrated as she exchanged words with former teammate DeWanna Bonner, now playing for the Mercury.
Clark, who hasn’t played in 19 straight games, didn’t hold back when Bonner came over near Indiana’s sideline. Caught by NBA TV cameras, Clark could be seen gesturing dismissively at the WNBA veteran, waving her off in a moment of clear tension.
Bonner, who started the season with Indiana, had a short stint with the Fever before being waived in late June. She quickly signed with Phoenix after just nine games, saying the situation in Indiana simply wasn’t the right fit.
“The fit did not work out,” Bonner explained after the move.
Now reunited with her wife, Alyssa Thomas, on the Mercury roster, Bonner seems more comfortable, and productive.
Since leaving Indiana, her numbers have improved significantly, jumping from 7.1 points per game to 11.2 in Phoenix.
Bonner delivers as Mercury edge closer to playoffs
Despite the brief clash with Clark, Bonner kept her focus on the court. She scored 19 points and helped power the Mercury past her former team in a game that could prove pivotal in the playoff race.
After the win, Bonner reflected on her decision to leave Indiana.
“I wouldn’t do anything differently,” she said. “I think my journey is my journey, and I’m going to accept that. It carried me to where I am now in Phoenix, and it happened that way for a reason.”
Alyssa Thomas led the way for Phoenix with an impressive all-around performance, finishing just shy of a triple-double with 23 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists.
Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell did her best to keep her team in it, dropping a game-high 29 points, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.
The Fever now sit at 21-20 and hold onto the eighth and final playoff spot by a slim margin-just one game ahead of the Los Angeles Sparks with three regular season matchups remaining.
While Clark‘s return to the court remains uncertain, her intensity and competitive edge continue to shape the Fever‘s identity-both on and off the floor.
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