Natasha Howard DIDN’T HOLD BACK On DeWanna Bonner After She ABANDONS Caitlin Clark & Indiana Forever!
The WNBA off-season is always a swirling whirlwind of trades, free agency drama, and burning-hot takes. But few moves have set the league—and the locker rooms—ablaze like DeWanna Bonner’s sudden departure from the Indiana Fever, leaving behind superstar Caitlin Clark and a squad hungry for a championship run. And no one, it seems, felt the sting quite like Indiana’s veteran leader, Natasha Howard, who let her true feelings fly in an unfiltered, headline-grabbing response.
Here’s how it all unfolded, why Bonner’s decision sent shockwaves through the WNBA, and what Natasha Howard’s no-holds-barred comments mean for the Fever moving forward.
DeWanna Bonner’s Shocking Exit: The Backstory
After joining the Indiana Fever in a blockbuster move, DeWanna Bonner was seen as the veteran glue to hold together the franchise’s youth revolution, led by Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston. Bonner’s experience, championship pedigree, and scoring touch were viewed as the final piece in the Fever’s rise to true contender status.
But just as Fever fans began dreaming of postseason glory, the news hit like a thunderclap: Bonner had exercised her free agency rights and signed with a rival contender, reportedly citing “a better fit and championship vision.” While NBA and WNBA players move teams all the time, the abruptness—and the timing—rang out like betrayal in Indiana.
Natasha Howard Lets Loose: “You Don’t Walk Out On Family”
None felt the blow more than Natasha Howard, the team’s fierce power forward and outspoken locker room motivator. Never shy to wear her heart on her sleeve, Howard spoke with reporters just after the Bonner news became public. Her words—raw and real—exploded across sports media.
“I get it—basketball is a business. But there’s business, and there’s loyalty. You don’t walk out on family when we’re this close to greatness,” Howard began, her voice tight with emotion.
“Caitlin, Aliyah—the whole squad—we trusted in her to get this job done. I respect DeWanna for who she is—she’s a baller. But Indiana was ready to ride for her. Now? We’ll just remember who’s really about it when the lights are the brightest.”
Howard didn’t stop there. When asked if she’d reach out to Bonner, her answer was blunt:
“Ain’t nothing to say. People show you who they are when the pressure’s on. I ride with my team—the ones who are still here.”
Locker Room Reactions: Rallying Behind Clark and the Core
If Bonner’s exit shook the Fever’s foundation, Howard’s words seemed to have the opposite effect: the squad circled the wagons. Caitlin Clark, newly minted superstar and fan favorite, took to Instagram with a cryptic but confident post:
“Obstacles = opportunities. Let’s work. #WeAreIndy”
Aliyah Boston echoed the sentiment, posting a photo of her and Howard at practice with the caption:
“We’re still here. Still family.”
The prevailing mood? Hurt, yes—but more so galvanized. If someone wanted to doubt, count out, or abandon the Fever, they’d only made the team’s core hungrier.
The League Weighs In: Respect, Drama, and New Rivalries
Around the WNBA, players and analysts split on Bonner’s move. Some cited her right to pursue her best opportunity in the latter part of her decorated career. Others, like former standout Swin Cash, sided with Howard, tweeting:
“Loyalty matters. When you build something special, see it through.”
No matter where you stood, one thing was unanimous: every matchup next season between the Fever and Bonner’s new squad just went from intriguing to unmissable.
What’s Next for Indiana?
With Bonner gone, Indiana’s roadmap is clear. The trio of Clark, Howard, and Boston now defines the Fever’s heart and identity. Expect Natasha Howard’s fiery leadership—born of both pain and pride—to set the tone as Indiana reloads for another title chase.
Coach Christie Sides summed up the new attitude best:
“Players move on. Legends build what lasts. Our locker room knows exactly who we are.”
Final Word: Turning Betrayal Into Fuel
Sports always find a way to serve up drama. But it’s how teams respond that forges their true legacy. Natasha Howard wasn’t shy in calling out what she saw as a breach of loyalty—but she’s also leading the charge to move forward, hungrier than ever.
As training camp opens, the message is set on the Fever’s whiteboard in bold marker: “WE’RE STILL HERE.”
You can bet they’ll be playing next season like they have something—and someone—to prove. And fans across the WNBA will be watching every second.
