Reese welcomes Bonner as Atlanta opens a new chapter
DeWanna Bonner’s arrival in Atlanta came with plenty of attention, but her first game with the Dream quickly gave fans even more to talk about. Angel Reese played a memorable role in the veteran’s debut, while Atlanta delivered a statement against one of the WNBA’s top teams.
From Bonner’s early impact to Reese’s latest milestone, several moments made the night stand out.
Reese helped welcome Bonner to Atlanta
Angel Reese was involved immediately in Bonner’s first Atlanta game, assisting on the veteran’s first 3-pointer with the Dream. After the game, Reese recalled telling Bonner that she expected her first shot to go in, and Bonner later connected on a 3-pointer assisted by Reese.
Reese praised Bonner’s energy and called her a great veteran during her postgame comments. She also said she was excited to spend more time with Bonner after returning from her international commitment with Team USA.
Bonner’s first shot came quickly
Bonner did not have to wait long for her first opportunity in an Atlanta uniform. She checked into the game during the first quarter and made her first shot with 2:13 remaining in the opening period, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The basket gave the home crowd an early reason to celebrate during Bonner’s first appearance. She later added her first 3-pointer for Atlanta, finishing the game with 7 points on 3-of-5 shooting against Minnesota.
Bonner joined Atlanta after a Mercury buyout
Bonner began the 2026 season with the Phoenix Mercury before moving to Atlanta late in the regular season. Phoenix was eliminated from playoff contention on Aug. 22 after losing 99-89 to the Dream, and Bonner subsequently agreed to a contract buyout with the Mercury.
The Dream signed Bonner on Aug. 27 for the remainder of the season and playoffs. The move came as Atlanta prepared for the postseason after securing its fourth consecutive WNBA playoff appearance.
Bonner brought extensive WNBA experience
Bonner entered Atlanta with 17 WNBA seasons of experience and two championships from her time with the Phoenix Mercury. She won titles in 2009 and 2014 and has been selected to six WNBA All-Star teams during her career.
She is also the only three-time WNBA Sixth Player of the Year and has reached four WNBA Finals. Before joining Atlanta, Bonner ranked third on the league’s career scoring list and first in playoff rebounds.
Bonner contributed from the bench
Bonner’s first game with Atlanta came with almost no preparation time alongside her new teammates. She had only a short period to learn the Dream’s system before facing Minnesota, making her debut during a crucial regular-season matchup.
Despite the limited adjustment period, Bonner played 17 minutes and contributed 7 points and 4 rebounds. She also recorded 2 assists and 1 steal, giving Atlanta production across several statistical categories during her first appearance.
Reese posted another double-double
Reese also delivered a significant performance during Bonner’s debut, finishing with 15 points and 11 rebounds against Minnesota. The double-double was her 29th of the season, establishing a new WNBA single-season record for the statistic.
The milestone continued a record-setting season for Reese in her first year with Atlanta. The Dream later announced that she had also surpassed the league’s previous single-season rebounding record during the same stretch of games.
Atlanta defeated the league-leading Lynx
The Dream entered Sunday’s matchup against Minnesota following a 101-83 home loss to the Portland Fire on Friday. Atlanta responded by taking control early against the Lynx and carrying a 52-41 advantage into halftime.
Minnesota reduced the deficit during the second half, but Atlanta maintained enough separation to win 89-81. The result gave the Dream another victory over the league-leading Lynx and prevented Minnesota from clinching the No. 1 playoff seed that day.
Interesting fact: The Atlanta Dream joined the WNBA in 2008. The franchise reached its first WNBA Finals in 2010, beginning a stretch in which Atlanta became one of the league’s regular playoff contenders.
Reese connected with Bonner on a three-pointer
One of the notable moments from Bonner’s debut involved a direct connection with Reese. Reese delivered the pass that led to Bonner’s first three-pointer in an Atlanta uniform during the victory over Minnesota.
Reese later referenced the play when discussing Bonner’s debut after the game. Her comments focused on Bonner’s energy, veteran experience and the excitement surrounding her arrival with the Dream for the final stretch of the season.
Interesting fact: The WNBA was founded in 1996 and began its inaugural season in 1997. The league started with eight teams and has expanded significantly as women’s professional basketball has grown in the United States.
Atlanta added Bonner for its playoff push
Atlanta entered the final portion of the regular season already positioned for the playoffs when Bonner joined the roster. The Dream had secured a postseason berth for the fourth consecutive season before officially signing the veteran forward.
Bonner’s addition gave Atlanta another experienced player with extensive playoff experience. She had previously appeared in 15 WNBA postseasons, four WNBA Finals and 98 playoff games before joining the Dream.
Reese earned another weekly honor
On Sept. 1, Reese was named WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the second consecutive week. The award was the fourth weekly honor of her three-year WNBA career.
During the award period, Reese averaged 14.4 points, 17.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. Her recent stretch included the record-setting 29th double-double of her 2026 season.
The Dream entered the international break
Atlanta’s win over Minnesota sent the team into the WNBA’s scheduled break for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. Four Dream players were selected for national teams, including Reese and Rhyne Howard for the United States.
The tournament is scheduled for Sept. 4-13 in Berlin, Germany. Atlanta’s next regular-season game is scheduled for Sept. 17 against the Connecticut Sun, leaving four regular-season games after the break before the playoffs begin.
The internet is also talking about Angel Reese avoiding one-game suspension after WNBA rescinds technical foul following Dream loss.
Bonner and Reese now share the Atlanta roster
Bonner’s debut marked the beginning of her time alongside Reese on an Atlanta roster built for the postseason. Their first game together included a pass from Reese to Bonner for a 3-pointer, while both players contributed to the Dream’s 89-81 victory.
Bonner finished her debut with 7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal. Reese recorded 15 points and 11 rebounds, producing her record 29th double-double of the 2026 regular season.
In other news, Caitlin Clark left out of NCAA March Madness post featuring WNBA stars.
What did you think of Bonner’s Dream debut and Reese’s reaction? Like this slideshow and drop your thoughts in the comments!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
Read More From This Brand:
