The Dallas Wings introduced on Wednesday that Azzi Fudd’s knee harm will sideline her for the rest of the 2026 WNBA season.
It successfully places a sudden cease at her spectacular rookie season with the crew. The guard will endure arthroscopic surgical procedure on her proper knee to handle the continued soreness.
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The process will probably be performed in Connecticut early subsequent week, and Fudd will start rehabilitation instantly afterward. This setback ends a powerful first WNBA marketing campaign for the No. 1 total choose.
Fudd averaged 13.1 factors, 1.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.7 steals throughout 30 video games. She additionally shot 45.6 % from the sector and 39.7 % from three-point arc. Her 1.7 steals per recreation places her on prime of all WNBA rookies.
The UConn product final performed on Aug. 5 towards the Washington Mystics. She has missed Dallas’ latest video games whereas coping with the knee difficulty. The Wings lose considered one of their key perimeter threats as they push towards the postseason.
What’s subsequent for Azzi Fudd and the Wings?
The largest factor for the Wings now’s survival and seeding. Their precedence must be getting their No. 1 choose wholesome relatively than speeding her again.
Dallas enters the stretch run at 20-16 and eighth within the WNBA, with eight regular-season video games remaining. The Wings have already struggled with out Fudd, going 1-4 of their final 5 video games since her final look.
Choice 1 is Paige Bueckers stepping up within the offensive engine. The crew want her to create pictures, management the tempo and carry a bigger scoring load. Bueckers has already proven that she will be able to deal with that duty. Now, the problem comes with much less perimeter assist.
Jessica Shepard can be having an enormous season. She is averaging 13.9 factors, 11.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists whereas taking pictures 58.2 % from the sector. These numbers make her considered one of Dallas’ most essential all-around gamers. Whereas not a direct alternative for Fudd, the previous Notre Dame star can present the assist Bueckers wants within the interim.
Opinions could fluctuate however Dallas nonetheless has a path to the playoffs. Fudd’s absence undoubtedly adjustments the equation. Bueckers should lead, the supporting forged should shoot higher and the Wings must defend at the next degree.
