Dallas, Texas – The Dallas Wings announced Wednesday that rookie guard Azzi Fudd will undergo arthroscopic surgery on her right knee next week in Connecticut. The procedure ends her inaugural WNBA season, which has already been limited to 30 games due to a lingering knee soreness that kept her out of a home contest against Golden State on Aug. 7.
Season overview and injury timeline
Fudd, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 WNBA draft, entered the league after a celebrated collegiate career at the University of Connecticut, where she helped the Huskies capture the 2025 national championship alongside fellow freshman Paige Bueckers. In Dallas, she began the season coming off the bench for the first six games, scoring 24 points in her sixth appearance before earning a permanent starting role.
During her rookie campaign, Fudd posted a season‑high 26 points in a June victory over Seattle and averaged 13.1 points per game. However, after completing warm‑ups before the Aug. 7 home game, the team decided to sit her out “out of an abundance of caution.” The soreness persisted, prompting the decision for surgery.
Impact on the Wings’ playoff hopes
The Wings, currently 3‑8 after a six‑game winning streak earlier in the season—the longest since the franchise moved to Texas a decade ago—remain in contention for a postseason berth for the first time since 2023. The team’s next matchup is against the Indiana Fever, led by Caitlin Clark, at the Dallas Mavericks’ arena on Thursday night.
While Fudd’s absence removes a promising scorer from the lineup, the Wings retain a core of veteran talent and the league’s reigning Rookie of the Year, Paige Bueckers, who was the No. 1 pick in 2025. Coach Vickie Johnson emphasized the organization’s confidence in the roster’s depth and the importance of allowing Fudd to recover fully for future seasons.
Looking ahead
Fudd’s surgery is scheduled for next week in Connecticut, a state where she spent her collegiate years. The Wings expect her to begin a rehabilitation program following the procedure, with the goal of returning stronger for the 2027 season.
Fans are encouraged to continue supporting the team as it navigates the remainder of the schedule. Ticket information and updates on Fudd’s recovery will be posted on the Wings’ official website and social media channels.
Original reporting: Fort Worth, TX Sports (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
