Gabby Williams and the Golden State Valkyries are in the WNBA Finals, and the only thing standing in their way of the ultimate prize is the Atlanta Dream. The Valkyries crossed paths with the Dream three times during the regular season and came out on top on each occasion, but a lot has changed since then.
One such name that brings tremendous upside for the Dream is forward DeWanna Bonner, who was singled out for praise by Williams ahead of the finals. During a video conference with reporters on Wednesday, the Valkyries forward was asked what stood out to her about each team heading into the championship series.
“I think the biggest difference is DeWanna Bonner, on and off the court,” Williams said (5:10 onward). “I mean, I can imagine how much she’s talking in that locker room about what it takes to win. So I think that championship experience is obviously going to give Atlanta a different kind of boost. But at the end of the day, you know, we’re still the Valkyries and they are still Atlanta. You know, we can’t change too much.”
Bonner has become an undeniably crucial piece of the well-oiled machine that is the Dream. She is integral to their success, with Atlanta looking like a completely different team. The veteran holds a distinction few players can claim, having made more playoff appearances than any other player in league history. The Dream is now 10-0 with Bonner, including a perfect 5-0 record in the playoffs.
Williams and the Valkyries know that the playoffs will be a different animal, and this Atlanta team is a different type of beast with Bonner in the mix. It will take a total team effort from Golden State to come out on top in a hard-fought seven-game series.
Analyst says DeWanna Bonner is key to Atlanta Dream winning the series
This series is also a chess match between two defensively minded teams. Both teams know this will be a tough series where they must adjust. While both teams have matchups to take care of, one analyst believes that DeWanna Bonner will be the ultimate X-factor if the Atlanta Dream are to capture the title.
On “WNBA Today” on NBC, WNBA analyst Natalie Esquire said:
“I would say that DeWanna Bonner is actually one of the keys to success for the Atlanta Dream heading into the Finals. One of the things, since DeWanna Bonner has arrived, the Dream, first of all, their half-court issues that they used to have… I think there’s a direct correlation between DeWanna Bonner being there and the fact that, like, they just look much better as a half-court team. And when you think about the fact that they were missing Allisha Gray in the semifinals and DeWanna Bonner was able to step up and really help the team, yeah. I mean, she’s definitely one of the things that I think is the key. If they’re going to pull off winning this series, I think she’s the key.”
Bonner has delivered the kind of production Atlanta needs, averaging 13.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game while shooting 44.9% during the playoffs. Her contributions have helped the Dream clear the first-round hurdle and put the franchise in position to pursue its first championship.
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