A debut always comes with expectations, nerves, and flashes of promise, because it’s all part of the package. And for Azzi Fudd, her first taste of the WNBA had a little bit of everything. There were moments when the game sped up on her and others where her natural scoring touch displayed why she has been highly regarded for years. It wasn’t perfect, but it didn’t need to be. Even in a small sample, Fudd showed exactly why she’s one of the most intriguing talents to look out for this season.

Facing the Indiana Fever in a preseason clash, the No. 1 overall pick stepped onto the floor for the Dallas Wings with plenty of attention around her. It wasn’t just about her debut, as fans were also excited to see her share the court with her former UConn teammate and girlfriend, Paige Bueckers.

And while the Wings didn’t disappoint as they walked away with a convincing 95–80 win, all eyes stayed on how Fudd handled her first outing. So once the game wrapped up, head coach Jose Fernandez didn’t shy away from addressing how that unfolded.

“She had those three (fouls) right. We tried to get her on some flares and pin downs. She’ll be fine. I liked her aggressiveness off the bounce she had on the one that went in-and-out. Get one under her belt and now move on to Sunday,” he said.

Azzi Fudd got off to a confident start and knocked down her first shot (a smooth pull-up jumper) to give Dallas an early edge. But like most first games, it didn’t stay perfect for long. Fudd recorded 3 fouls and missed 100% of her three-pointers.

But this night was used as more of an adjustment phase for her. But let’s be honest, there were flashes.

With 6:45 left in the third quarter, she cut through the lane and finished over Sophie Cunningham for her second bucket of the night. A few possessions later, at the 4:10 mark, she attacked off the dribble again before kicking it out to Grace Berger in the right corner, setting up her first assist.

On the defensive end, Fudd was matched up against Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark, which gave her a firsthand look at the physicality and pace that define the league. Ultimately, she finished the game with four points and an assist, going 2-7 from the field in the 16 minutes she was on the court.

Still, this game showed just how steep the jump to the WNBA can be, even if you’re coming from one of the strongest college programs. And while Azzi Fudd continues to settle in, Dallas didn’t have to wait for production elsewhere. Paige Bueckers led the way with 20 points in an efficient showing, while Maddy Siegrist added 18 as the Wings pulled away behind a dominant second-quarter run.

What’s Next for Azzi Fudd and the Dallas Wings?

The Wings may have secured their first win of the season, but that doesn’t mean they have time to ease into things. Because up next, they face the Las Vegas Aces on May 3 at Moody Center in Austin. A matchup that brings a completely different kind of test for this young Dallas core.

With veterans like Chelsea Gray who is known for her exceptional court vision and clutch scoring, A’ja Wilson famous for her two-way dominance that combines elite scoring with elite defense, Jewell Loyd known for her ability to make difficult shots under pressure, and Jackie Young who’s a three-level scorer, the Aces aren’t just experienced; they’re a group that knows how to punish mistakes. And for someone like Azzi Fudd, that’s exactly the kind of environment that speeds up the learning curve.

But from this first preseason outing, there were already signs of what Dallas is building.

Azzi Fudd’s numbers might not jump off the page, but her role was quietly taking shape. Even when she wasn’t scoring, her presence forced defenders to stay glued to her. That alone opened up space for players like Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale to attack downhill. And that’s where her early value lies.

Dallas isn’t rushing her into a high-usage role just yet. Instead, they’re letting her settle in, playing off the ball, moving through screens, and picking her spots. It’s a slower build, but one that makes sense, especially considering her injury history and the expectations that come with being a top pick.

Defensively, too, she stayed active, read passing lanes well, and didn’t look out of place even when matched up against experienced guards. That’s the kind of detail that doesn’t always show up in the box score but matters over time.

And then there’s the obvious connection. Even in limited minutes, you could see flashes of her chemistry with Bueckers, something they already built back in UConn. It’s still early, but that familiarity could quickly turn into one of Dallas’ biggest advantages as the season unfolds.

So, with a tougher test coming up next, fans will be keeping their eye on Azzi Fudd to witness how her first WNBA chapter unfolds.