STWF Sports | ARLINGTON, Texas | August 19, 2026 — The Dallas Wings will move forward without one of the brightest pieces of their young core after announcing Wednesday that rookie guard Azzi Fudd will miss the remainder of the 2026 WNBA season.
Fudd is scheduled to undergo an arthroscopic procedure on her right knee early next week in Connecticut to address ongoing soreness. The team said she will begin rehabilitation immediately following the procedure.
With fewer than five weeks remaining in the regular season, Dallas determined the recovery timeline will keep the No. 1 overall pick sidelined for the rest of her rookie campaign. The Wings said additional updates will be provided following the procedure when appropriate.
Azzi Fudd’s Impact on the Dallas Wings
Fudd last appeared for Dallas on Aug. 5 against the Washington Mystics. Her absence creates another challenge for a Wings team navigating the final stretch of the season while pursuing positioning in the Western Conference and the WNBA playoff race.
Despite the premature ending, Fudd’s first professional season provided several encouraging signs.
Dallas selected the former UConn standout with the first overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft following a five-year collegiate career that included helping the Huskies capture the 2025 NCAA championship.
Fudd quickly established herself as a two-way contributor in the Wings’ backcourt. Across 30 games, she averaged 13.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.73 steals and 0.83 blocks per game.
Her defensive production was especially notable for a first-year guard. Fudd’s 1.73 steals per contest led all WNBA rookies, while her blocks average ranked second among first-year players. She also ranked third among rookies in scoring.
Those numbers placed her among some of the most productive rookies in Wings history.
Fudd’s 13.1-point scoring average ranks third all-time among Dallas rookies, while her steals average and total 3-pointers made established new franchise benchmarks for first-year Wings players.
Her shooting ability was also showcased on one of the league’s biggest stages.
During WNBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago, Fudd made history by becoming the first rookie to win the league’s 3-Point Contest. Competing at Wintrust Arena, she delivered one of the most impressive shooting performances in the event’s history.
Fudd scored 30 points in the championship round, the second-highest final-round total in WNBA 3-Point Contest history. She connected on 20 of 26 attempts and closed the round by making eight of her final 10 shots.
The victory also made her the first player in Wings franchise history to capture the 3-point crown.
For Dallas, losing Fudd removes an important perimeter scorer and disruptive defender from the rotation. Her ability to stretch the floor alongside Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale gave the Wings another dangerous offensive option while also providing pressure on opposing guards defensively.
The immediate focus now shifts toward Fudd’s recovery and long-term health.
Arthroscopic procedures are commonly used to evaluate and address issues inside the knee joint, but the Wings have not announced additional specifics regarding the nature of Fudd’s condition or an estimated timeline beyond the conclusion of the 2026 season.
Her rookie year may be ending earlier than expected, but Fudd has already shown why Dallas invested the top pick in her.
From becoming an immediate starter-level contributor to making league history during All-Star Weekend, Fudd leaves her first WNBA season with a strong foundation for what the Wings hope will become a major part of their future.
