The Golden State Valkyries beat the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center on Saturday, and the loss immediately brought renewed attention to DeWanna Bonner's late-season decision to join Atlanta.
Bonner, who signed with the Dream on August 27 after clearing waivers two days earlier, scored four points in 14 minutes off the bench in the deciding game. She shot 2-of-6 and finished without the kind of impact Atlanta needed in a tight finish.
The criticism followed a familiar theme for Bonner. Fans pointed to her history of leaving teams late in the season, and that conversation resurfaced after Atlanta fell short of its first championship. The Dream had already clinched a playoff berth when Bonner was added, but the roster move still became part of the larger reaction once the Finals ended.
Why the reaction intensified
Atlanta's loss was another painful chapter for a franchise that had reached the WNBA Finals in 2010, 2011 and 2013 without winning a title. This time, the Dream entered the postseason with a 25-13 record and added Bonner in late August after her buyout with the Phoenix Mercury.
Bonner's path to Atlanta was part of a busy final stretch. The Fever waived her on June 25, the Mercury were eliminated from playoff contention on August 22 after a 99-89 loss to the Dream, and Bonner agreed to a buyout with Phoenix two days later before clearing waivers on August 26.
Bonner had said at the time, "I don't know what the future holds, but I'm grateful to the Mercury for giving me the opportunity to play in what could be one of my final postseason opportunities."
That context made the Game 7 loss even more noticeable. Atlanta finished one win short of a title, Bonner's role was limited, and the reaction centered on whether her late-season arrival had helped or hurt the Dream's chances of finishing the job.
