How DeWanna Bonner and a Boca Raton Trip Fueled the Atlanta Dream’s WNBA Finals Run
The Atlanta Dream enter the WNBA Finals on a 10-game winning streak following a late-August training camp in Boca Raton, Florida, and the late-season acquisition of 17-year veteran DeWanna Bonner, sports.yahoo.com reported.
The Labor Day Trip to Boca Raton
The franchise booked the itinerary for a Labor Day weekend trip to Boca Raton, Florida, during the FIBA World Cup break a couple of weeks prior to its execution, mirroring a similar resort stay during the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Dream practiced at Florida Atlantic University and stayed at the resort while teammates Angel Reese and Rhyne Howard competed for Team USA, according to sports.yahoo.com and espn.com. Players hit the beach and the pool together, allowing older bonds to solidify and new ones to form organically. The 17-year veteran Bonner joined her new teammates in Florida after signing with the franchise on August 27 following a contract buyout with the Phoenix Mercury, according to sports.yahoo.com and espn.com.
It was one of my favorite trips of my career,
Bonner said, as reported by espn.com.
Head coach Karl Smesko noted that the break provided a vital head start. Hillmon mentioned that the coach uses distinct terminology compared to other leaders in the league, making the early integration period valuable for avoiding a rushed transition at the end of the regular season, espn.com reported.
Integrating a Veteran Core for a Finals Run
Bonner brings extensive postseason experience to a younger Atlanta roster. Since her arrival, second-year guard Te-Hina Paopao noted that Bonner frequently offered guidance during late-practice fatigue.
Bonner also established an immediate connection with Reese. Reese noted that Bonner consistently challenged her, sports.yahoo.com reported. Since Bonner joined the roster, Reese averaged 19.1 points, shooting 56.2% from the floor, with 3.7 assists and 2.3 steals over 10 games, exceeding her season-long marks, according to sports.yahoo.com.
Extending the Win Streak into the Championship Series
Upon returning from the FIBA break, the Dream dropped a game against the Portland Fire but subsequently embarked on a 10-game winning streak. That run matches the 2017 Los Angeles Sparks for the longest winning streak entering the WNBA Finals in league history, espn.com reported. The sequence includes regular-season victories over the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty, alongside first-round sweeps of the Washington Mystics and a semifinals sweep of the Liberty, sports.yahoo.com reported.
The independent franchise advanced to its fourth WNBA Finals appearance, seeking its first championship since entering the league as an expansion team in 2008, sports.yahoo.com noted.
The Opening Matchup Against the Golden State Valkyries
The WNBA Finals began on Saturday against the No. 2 Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center, with Games 3 and 4 relocated to the larger State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta following coordination between the WNBA, NBA, Valkyries, Hawks, and broadcast partners, sports.yahoo.com reported. Following a Game 2 victory that tied the best-of-seven series, the question remains whether Atlanta’s chemistry built in Boca Raton and the veteran presence of Bonner can secure the franchise’s first league title.