Two-time WNBA Champion, three-time Sixth Woman of the Year and 2018 WNBA All-Star DeWanna Bonner was named the WNBA’s Western Conference Player of the Week, as announced by the league office today. It’s the sixth career honor for Bonner, tying her with teammate Brittney Griner for the second-most such honors in franchise history (Diana Taurasi – 20).
Bonner is off to the best start of any WNBA player in 2019, leading the league in both scoring (23.3 points) and player efficiency rating (26.8), the only player in the WNBA over 26.0. Additionally, she ranks sixth in the league in rebounding (8.8 remains) and sits atop the league in free-throw accuracy (20-for-20). Her perfect start from the charity stripe this season has extended her regular season consecutive made free throws count to 30, dating back to last season. Bonner is the only player in the WNBA this season with averages of at least 26 points and eight rebounds per game, with a PER of over 26. The only NBA players to hold such numbers during the 2018-19 season were Joel Embid, Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Davis and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Bonner earns the weekly award after posting back-to-back 25-point performances last week, one of which led the Mercury to a road win in Indiana on June 9. The 6-foot-4 forward averaged 25.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in the two games, while shooting 50 percent (18-of-36) from the field and going a percent 10-for-10 from the free-throw line. Bonner extended her streak of consecutive regular season games scoring 10 or more points to 18, which is the fourth longest current streak in the WNBA.
After recording her 34th career double-double on May 31 against Las Vegas, Bonner poured in 25 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the loss in Minnesota on June 6. She followed up that performance with a 25-point, seven-rebound and four-assists outing on June 9 in Indiana, leading the Mercury to a 94-87 win against the Fever.
After coming within one win of trip to the WNBA Finals, the Phoenix Mercury return in 2019 in search of a league-record tying fourth WNBA title. Led by the All-Star trio of Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner and DeWanna Bonner, Phoenix looks to continue its title quest on June 11 in Chicago. Tickets for the Mercury’s next home game on Friday, June 14 against the Los Angeles Sparks, and the remaining 15 home games, at Talking Stick Resort Arena can be purchased by calling 602.252.WNBA or by visiting PhoenixMercury.com.