The Dallas Wings announced on Wednesday that Azzi Fudd’s knee injury will sideline her for the remainder of the 2026 WNBA season.
It effectively puts a sudden stop at her impressive rookie season with the team. The guard will undergo arthroscopic surgery on her right knee to address the ongoing soreness.
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The procedure will be done in Connecticut early next week, and Fudd will begin rehabilitation immediately afterward. This setback ends a strong first WNBA campaign for the No. 1 overall pick.
Fudd averaged 13.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.7 steals across 30 games. She also shot 45.6 percent from the field and 39.7 percent from three-point arc. Her 1.7 steals per game puts her on top of all WNBA rookies.
The UConn product last played on Aug. 5 against the Washington Mystics. She has missed Dallas’ recent games while dealing with the knee issue. The Wings lose one of their key perimeter threats as they push toward the postseason.
What’s next for Azzi Fudd and the Wings?Jul 12, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd (35) pushes the Dallas Reunion Tower button after the game against the Chicago Sky at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn ImagesThe biggest thing for the Wings now is survival and seeding. Their priority should be getting their No. 1 pick healthy rather than rushing her back.
Dallas enters the stretch run at 20-16 and eighth in the WNBA, with eight regular-season games remaining. The Wings have already struggled without Fudd, going 1-4 in their last five games since her last appearance.
Option 1 is Paige Bueckers stepping up in the offensive engine. The team need her to create shots, control the tempo and carry a larger scoring load. Bueckers has already shown that she can handle that responsibility. Now, the challenge comes with less perimeter support.
Jessica Shepard is also having a huge season. She is averaging 13.9 points, 11.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists while shooting 58.2 percent from the field. Those numbers make her one of Dallas’ most important all-around players. While not a direct replacement for Fudd, the former Notre Dame star can provide the support Bueckers needs in the interim.
Opinions may vary but Dallas still has a path to the playoffs. Fudd’s absence definitely changes the equation. Bueckers must lead, the supporting cast must shoot better and the Wings need to defend at a higher level.
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