Dallas Wings Rookie Azzi Fudd to Miss Remainder of WNBA Season Due to Knee Surgery

Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd, the top pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on her right knee. The team announced the decision on Wednesday, confirming that Fudd has not played since early August due to persistent knee soreness.

## Fudd's Injury History

Fudd has faced multiple knee injuries throughout her career. In high school, she suffered a severe right knee injury, tearing both her ACL and MCL, which required multiple surgeries. At UConn, she tore her right ACL again, along with her meniscus, forcing her to miss most of her junior season. Even as a senior, a minor right knee sprain sidelined her for several weeks.

## Impact on the Wings

Fudd has been a key contributor for the Wings this season, averaging 13.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. She leads the team in three-pointers and steals and ranks fourth in scoring. Her absence will be a major blow to the Wings, who have struggled recently, going 2-7 since the All-Star break and slipping to eighth place in the standings.

Despite their recent struggles, the Wings are still likely to secure a playoff spot, holding a four-and-a-half-game lead over the ninth-place Portland Fire for the final playoff position. However, their prospects of making a deep postseason run without Fudd appear slim.

| Statistic | Average per Game | |-----------------|------------------| | Points | 13.1 | | Rebounds | 1.7 | | Assists | 1.8 | | Steals | 1.7 | | 3-Point % | 39.7% |

The Wings will now need to adjust their lineup and strategy to compensate for Fudd's absence as they aim to secure a playoff berth and make a run in the postseason.