DeWanna Bonner officially passed Brittney Griner to become the Phoenix Mercury’s all-time leading rebounder during Phoenix’s 72-63 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Sunday. Talk about a full-circle moment, huh? What makes this story even wilder is that Griner herself was right there inside PHX Arena, playing for the opposing Connecticut Sun, and watched her former teammate snatch that record.
A Record-Breaking Night With a Huge Twist
Bonner needed just a handful of boards to make history, and she absolutely delivered, pulling down nine rebounds against Connecticut. That moved her right past Griner’s impressive 2,322 career rebounds and into sole possession of first place on the Mercury’s all-time list. Phoenix was quick to shout her out on social media too, declaring, “DeWanna Bonner just became the Phoenix Mercury’s all-time leader in rebounds. Congratulations DB!” This wasn’t just a record night either. Bonner dropped a season-high 21 points, leading the Mercury to a crucial win that finally ended their brutal five-game losing streak. Meanwhile, Griner didn’t have a bad night herself, notching 19 points and 12 rebounds for Connecticut in her return to Phoenix.
The Laughter That Spoke Volumes
Here’s the kicker though: there was no resentment, no shade, nothing but pure class from Griner. The former Mercury superstar shared a lighthearted moment with Bonner after the record fell, laughing with her as Phoenix celebrated a huge piece of franchise history. For two players whose careers helped define different eras of Mercury basketball, that exchange? It said *everything*. Griner spent more than a decade establishing the standard that Bonner eventually surpassed. But make no mistake, losing the rebounding record doesn’t dim Griner’s legacy one bit. Phoenix picked the 6-foot-9 center first overall in the 2013 WNBA Draft, and she spent 11 seasons with them, still holding several Mercury records to this day.
Bonner’s Wild Ride Back to the Top
Bonner’s path to the top of the rebounding list wasn’t straightforward at all. Phoenix drafted her fifth overall in the 2009 WNBA Draft, and she spent her first 10 seasons with them, snagging championships in 2009 and 2014. She left for the Connecticut Sun before the 2020 season, staying through 2024. Then, a quick stint with the Indiana Fever in 2025 lasted just nine games before she was waived. Her return to the Mercury after that? That’s what gave her the time to finally catch Griner. Bonner’s résumé is stacked: she’s a six-time All-Star, a two-time champion, and one of the league’s leading career scorers. This all-time rebounding record just adds another massive achievement to nearly two decades of pure grind.
This isn’t just a stat; it’s a testament to incredible careers and the respect built over years of battling on the court. What a moment for Bonner, and what a class act from Griner.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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