{
  "id": 12021815,
  "title": "DeWanna Bonner scores 23 off bench, helps Dream oust Liberty in WNBA semifinals",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/dewanna-bonner-scores-23-off-bench-helps-dream-oust-liberty-in-wnba",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-04T22:13:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/basketball/2026/10/04/dewanna-bonner-scores-23-off-bench-helps-dream-oust-liberty-in-wnba-semifinals"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "When leading point scorer Allisha Gray left the game early due to a left hand injury in the first WNBA semifinal, the Atlanta Dream needed a replacement. Just her eighth game with the team, 39-year-old DeWanna Bonner stepped up to fill the void. Playing more than 30 minutes off the bench, Bonner delivered 23 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals, helping Atlanta stabilize and ultimately win the game 92-82 against the New York Liberty. \"I'm still learning a lot,\" Bonner acknowledged. \"My head is always spinning because I'm learning new people, new plays, and learning the city, but they made it easy.\" This was Bonner's first game for Atlanta, who snapped up the six-time All-Star and two-time WNBA champion as a free agent on August 27. The team had been on a three-game losing streak to the first round exits, and Bonner felt like the missing piece. She averaged 20 minutes and nine points per game in a limited role before the injury, but her performance was pivotal. Bonner played the entire fourth quarter and nearly all of the second half, making crucial plays on both ends of the court and even after the halftime break when Atlanta trailed 40-37. Her coach, Karl Smesko, praised her for her veteran presence and ability to play multiple positions despite not having practiced them. Atlanta is now 8-0 with Bonner, and they are two wins away from their first WNBA Finals appearance since 2013.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Jordin Canada’s strong second half lifts Dream over Liberty in Game 1 of semifinals",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/jordin-canadas-strong-second-half-lifts-dream-over-liberty-in-game-1",
        "published": "2026-10-04T22:20:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}