Heartbreak: Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner Step Away Amid Family Tragedy..
In a season already marked by triumphs and trades, WNBA stars Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner face their darkest hour. The engaged couple, known for their unbreakable on-court chemistry and off-court devotion, have announced an indefinite leave from their respective teams—the Phoenix Mercury —following a devastating incident involving Bonner’s twin daughters, Cali and Demi.
The 8-year-old girls, born to Bonner and her ex-wife Candice Dupree in July 2017, were involved in a tragic car accident last week while traveling with Dupree in Indiana. Authorities report the vehicle was struck by a semi-truck during heavy rain, resulting in severe injuries. Cali remains in critical condition with multiple fractures and internal bleeding, while Demi suffered a traumatic brain injury and is on life support at IU Health North Hospital in Carmel—the same facility where she was born. Dupree sustained minor injuries but is by their side, coordinating with family.
Thomas, 34, who proposed to Bonner in a heartfelt 2023 All-Star Weekend moment, rushed from Phoenix practice to be with her fiancée. “Our family needs us now more than the game does,” Thomas said in a brief statement released through the players’ association. Bonner, 38, a five-time All-Star and mother who credits her daughters with giving her “superpowers” on the court, has been a pillar for the twins’ contrasting personalities—Cali’s love for skateboarding and basketball mirroring her mom’s fire, Demi’s gentle affinity for dolls echoing Bonner’s softer side.
The couple’s bond, forged in 2020 when Bonner joined Thomas on the Sun, has weathered trades—Thomas to Phoenix in January 2025—and the rigors of co-parenting across states. Yet this loss shakes their foundation. Friends describe Bonner as “devastated but fierce,” drawing strength from Thomas’s calming presence, which has eased her anxiety through high-stakes seasons.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert extended league support, including counseling and travel aid. Teammates from both squads have rallied, with Sun forward Brionna Jones organizing a fundraiser that has raised over $50,000 for medical costs. “DeWanna and Alyssa are warriors,” Jones posted on X. “Their girls are too. We’re all in this.”
As the playoffs loom, the void is palpable. Thomas’s triple-double prowess and Bonner’s scoring touch—7,482 career points—elevated their teams. But family eclipses fame. In a league championing resilience, this story underscores vulnerability. Fans worldwide send prayers, hashtags like #StrengthForCaliDemi trending.
Bonner once told SLAM her daughters fuel her edge. Now, as the family clings to hope, the WNBA pauses to honor that unbreakable spirit. Recovery updates are pending, but one thing’s clear: Thomas and Bonner will return—stronger, together.
