Image Credit: © Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Kahleah Copper Blasts Fever Fans for Booing DeWanna Bonner During Indiana Return

DeWanna Bonner returned to Indianapolis for the first after signing with the Indiana Fever.

Image Credit: © Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Phoenix Mercury forward Kahleah Copper blasted the Indiana Fever fans for booing DeWanna Bonner during her return to Indianapolis. On Wednesday, the Fever hosted the Mercury for an entertaining clash that ended in the hosts registering a 107-101 victory over their rivals. The game also marked the first occasion when Bonner returned to Indianapolis after exiting the Fever following a brief nine-game stint.

As Bonner checked in off the bench, the Gainbridge Fieldhouse gave her a welcome, but not the type anyone would want. The Fever fans started booing the 37-year-old, and while she didn’t have any reaction to it, her teammate and partner, Alyssa Thomas, started to yell at the crowd. Following the game, Mercury guard Kahleah Copper stood up for Bonner and blasted fans for their behavior.

She said, “I think she handled it well. I just don’t understand. She’s a legend, and all the things she’s done for the league, and just the disrespect, I can’t get down with it.” Copper added, “They booed her, she didn’t say a word to the crowd. People talked some trash to her, but we had her back. It’s just very distasteful for what their fanbase is doing as far as when it comes to DB, because she’s just the sweetest soul, and the situation didn’t work for her. That’s just not what she wanted or whatever, but we don’t need all of that. It’s unnecessary.”

Here's a full clip on what Kahleah Copper had to say about DeWanna Bonner's return to Indianapolis tonight and how the fans treated her #WNBA https://t.co/Nbj13qPWLk pic.twitter.com/crYW2CGez5
— Aya Abdeen (@ayabdeen) July 31, 2025

Notably, Bonner finished the game with four points and one rebound. Thomas put up a notable performance of 32 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists. However, her performance fell short, and the Mercury failed to move past the victory line.

Stephanie White’s Honest Reaction to DeWanna Bonner’s Welcome

After the game, Stephanie White opened up on the fans’ reaction and the kind of welcome they gave to DeWanna Bonner. The Indiana Fever continued to be without Caitlin Clark, but despite that, they recorded a victory. Following the game, Fever head coach Stephanie White opened up on the welcome DeWanna Bonner received from Indianapolis fans. She had an unexpected response to the issue and said, “I don’t know anything about the reception. I don’t hear anything once I’m out on the floor.”

White went on to accept that it felt “weird seeing her on the other side.” Anyway, it doesn’t seem that the Fever or any of the members of the team have any hard feeling towards Bonner, considering things did end on a sour note.

DeWanna Bonner

Kahleah Copper

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.