DeWanna Bonner

Challenged by the Connecticut Sun’s signature defensive pressure on the game’s very first play, the Washington Mystics, following a misplaced pass, found themselves face-to-face with an unpleasant sight: DeWanna Bonner hustling down the floor in pursuit of a steal-and-score sequence. With her orange, No. 24 jersey closely attached to every passing lane and dribble the Mystics’ offense could imagine over the game’s remainder, Bonner’s takeaway-fueled takeover proved to be only just getting started. Officially in the driver’s seat with a five-point lead and five minutes remaining, the All-Star forward adds to her record-setting defensive showing with a rearview swipe, poking Karlie Samuelson’s dribble away from behind before curtaining the play with a transition layup. Finding the fountain of youth in year No. 15, Bonner, who climbed to No. 9 all-time in games played (464), supplied two-way energy, recording 22 points, six rebounds, and a career-best six steals. Etched into the record books with a whopping 47 turnovers forced over the two-game open to the new season, Connecticut rode their defense to a competitive win on May 17, 2024.