Mark Giannotto, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports Wed, November 4, 2026 at 4:32 PM UTC · 2 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeWanna Bonner isn't ready to announce her next move, or whether retirement is on the horizon. But the WNBA legend's first public comments after the Atlanta Dream lost in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals struck a reflective tone looking back on a memorable season.
Bonner, 39, shared an emotional Instagram post on Tuesday, Nov. 3, thanking the Dream organization, her teammates and fans for a late-season experience she called "life changing." While she stopped short of discussing if she's set to retire, Bonner left her future intentionally vague.
"As for what's next," she wrote, "Just remember, if you didn't hear it from me, you haven't heard it yet."
The Golden State Valkyries celebrate their first WNBA championship after the 2026 WNBA Finals. See the reactions, embraces and scenes from the historic celebration. Kaila Charles #6, Kiah Stokes #41, Tiffany Hayes #15 and Veronica Burton #22 of the Golden State Valkyries react after a basket against the Atlanta Dream during the fourth quarter in game seven of the 2026 WNBA Finals at Chase Center on October 31, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images) Kaitlyn Chen #2 of the Golden State Valkyries and teammates react from the bench during the fourth quarter in game seven of the 2026 WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center on October 31, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images) Fans cheer during game seven of the 2026 WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center on October 31, 2026 in in San Francisco, California. (Heather Diehl, Getty Images) Veronica Burton #22 of the Golden State Valkyries reacts during the first quarter in game seven of the 2026 WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center on October 31, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) Kaitlyn Chen #2 and Juste Jocyte #4 of the Golden State Valkyries react from the bench during the first quarter in game seven of the 2026 WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center on October 31, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) 1 / 5 Golden State Valkyries revel in first WNBA championship The Golden State Valkyries celebrate their first WNBA championship after the 2026 WNBA Finals. See the reactions, embraces and scenes from the historic celebration. Kaila Charles #6, Kiah Stokes #41, Tiffany Hayes #15 and Veronica Burton #22 of the Golden State Valkyries react after a basket against the Atlanta Dream during the fourth quarter in game seven of the 2026 WNBA Finals at Chase Center on October 31, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images) 1 / 5 Golden State Valkyries revel in first WNBA championship The Golden State Valkyries celebrate their first WNBA championship after the 2026 WNBA Finals. See the reactions, embraces and scenes from the historic celebration. Kaila Charles #6, Kiah Stokes #41, Tiffany Hayes #15 and Veronica Burton #22 of the Golden State Valkyries react after a basket against the Atlanta Dream during the fourth quarter in game seven of the 2026 WNBA Finals at Chase Center on October 31, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images) 2 / 5 Golden State Valkyries revel in first WNBA championship Kaitlyn Chen #2 of the Golden State Valkyries and teammates react from the bench during the fourth quarter in game seven of the 2026 WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center on October 31, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images) 3 / 5 Golden State Valkyries revel in first WNBA championship Fans cheer during game seven of the 2026 WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center on October 31, 2026 in in San Francisco, California. (Heather Diehl, Getty Images) 4 / 5 Golden State Valkyries revel in first WNBA championship Veronica Burton #22 of the Golden State Valkyries reacts during the first quarter in game seven of the 2026 WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center on October 31, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) 5 / 5 Golden State Valkyries revel in first WNBA championship Kaitlyn Chen #2 and Juste Jocyte #4 of the Golden State Valkyries react from the bench during the first quarter in game seven of the 2026 WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center on October 31, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) WNBA FINALS: Game 7 draws 3.3 million viewers, most in playoff history
Bonner, 39, signed a rest-of-season contract with the Dream in late August after spending most of the 2026 season with the Phoenix Mercury. Bonner sought a buyout from the Mercury once they were eliminated from playoff contention and appeared in five regular-season games for the Dream.
The 6-foot-4 guard/forward then averaged 7.7 points and 3.9 rebounds over more than 20 minutes per game during Atlanta's postseason run . She remains third in league history in career points and fifth in career rebounds and also owns the WNBA record for most playoff game appearances (110).
Bonner would likely be a coveted role player for a contender should she decide to play again next season. She sits just three games shy of passing Sue Bird for the most career games in WNBA history.
Dream teammate Angel Reese was among those to respond to Bonner's post, writing in the comments section that it was an "honor to play with you no matter what next year looks like." Fellow Dream teammates Te-Hina Paopao and Isobel Borlase, as well as Connecticut Sun guard Saniya Rivers, also left encouraging comments for Bonner.
WNBA celebrity fan Wanda Sykes noted she "loved seeing (Bonner) with this ATL team. You've got plenty of gas left in the tank."
"17 years in this league, and to still experience this kind of love, energy, and excitement is something I'll never take for granted," Bonner wrote. "This move to Atlanta was life changing, far beyond winning or losing a championship! The happiness and joy that came with this city/team was unmatched!
"To the Atlanta Dream family and teammates thank you for welcoming me with open arms," she continued. "I could not have asked for a better group to do this with! We're locked for life! To the fans, your love and support have been felt since the moment I arrived! I'm grateful for every single one of you."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: DeWanna Bonner hints at uncertain WNBA future in emotional Instagram post
Source: Sports
