Questions surround Azzi Fudd's status after Wings' top pick sits in home-opener loss
Two games into the season Fudd's played just 18 minutes, and the Wings won't "discuss anything medically" regarding her status.
Dallas Wings rookie Azzi Fudd (second from right) watches from the bench in street clothes as her teammates faced the Atlanta Dream in the first half at College Park Center in Arlington, May 12, 2026. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News) ARLINGTON — When Azzi Fudd came off the bench in the Dallas Wings’ season-opening win over the Indiana Fever last weekend, fans and commentators questioned why the 2026 No. 1 pick did not start.
Now bigger questions surround Fudd, who in 18 minutes vs. Indiana scored three points on just two shot attempts. The Wings listed the rookie guard as probable in Monday’s game status report.
Then, ahead of Tuesday’s home opener at College Park Center, Wings coach Jose Fernandez said Fudd would be out for the game with a right knee injury . Coming off a long college season that included a run to the Final Four, the UConn product tore her ACL and MCL in 2019 and tore her ACL and medial meniscus in 2023. Both injuries occurred in her right knee.
Fernandez wouldn’t answer if the injury had anything to do with her limited minutes against the Fever. “I’m not going to get into the minutes situation on the opening night,” Fernandez said pregame. “Out of an abundance of caution and her long-term health, we’re keeping her out tonight.