After losing the semi-finals against the New York Liberty last year, the Connecticut Sun is awaiting the most crucial game of the season as they hope to upend the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday. While the Sun has the longest active playoff streak, making every elimination series since 2017, they are keen to make franchise history, clinching their first championship title. However, some difficult news might await the Sun if a certain NBC Sports talent is to be believed.

Subria Whitaker took to X on Tuesday to list the achievements of the Sun forward DeWanna Bonner and touch upon the news of her potential retirement. “Hello?????? ARE YA’LL HEARING ME??? DEWANNA BONNER IS CURRENTLY COMPETING FOR CONNECTICUT’S FIRST EVER CHAMPIONSHIP, ON TRACK TO MOVE UP TO # 3 or # 2 ON THE ALL-TIME SCORING LIST, AND HOURS AWAY FROM PLAYING WHAT *COULD* BE HER LAST WNBA GAME EVER. FOCUS ON DEWANNA BONNER,” Whitaker tweeted on X.

Bonner is currently placed fourth on the all-time scoring list next to Tina Thompson. The 2009 5th overall pick has 7482 points, only 6 behind the Houston Comets star. Currently averaging 16 points, the Sun #24 is expected to even possibly grab the 2nd spot from Tina Charles who is 14 points ahead.

The Auburn-alum’s most relevant performances have come against the Indiana Fever in Game 1 of the WNBA playoffs and Game 4 of the semis against the Lynx. In both these clashes, Bonner hit 22 and 18 points respectively, helping the Sun win the games, which to some extent shone the light for a possible feat in their 2024 campaign. Therefore, it remains to be seen if the Sun are ready to lose such a valuable player.

DeWanna Bonner’s possible retirement explored

“The last two years she found the fountain of youth,” the Sun head coach Stephanie White spoke about Bonner. At 37, she is the second oldest player in the Sun’s roster and the third oldest in the WNBA 2024. Therefore, while speculations run high about her retirement, Bonner seems to be an effective and experienced part of the squad.

During last season’s campaign, when the Sun made it to the semis, Bonner was the leading scorer with 17.4 points per game. Though she had been the highest scorer yet again this season, after the trade of Marina Mabrey, she stands second on the points average for the Connecticut-based franchise. Can this be a foreshadowing of what’s to come next?

Bonner played for the Phoenix Mercury for 10 seasons up until 2019 before transferring to the Sun. “I’m kind of a late bloomer in the whole process,” she has stated in her own words. But once she got to the Sun, there was no looking back. Signing a four-year contract, the small forward piled on point after point, becoming a major reason for the Sun’s success. However, as of 2024, she has a one-year contract with the Sun which is set to expire at the conclusion of this season, which again is an indication that the Sun might part away with Bonner.

Though the franchise has not given away any hints about her possible retirement, ending her W career on a high note remains a hope.