Who knew not answering a question would blow up a controversy? Well, that’s what happened when a Dallas-based reporter asked Azzi about her and Paige Bueckers’ relationship during Azzi’s introductory press conference. A Wings PR representative stepped in and said Azzi won’t be answering personal questions. The clip went viral on social media, with Dallas Wings being questioned as to whether their relationship played a part in the drafting of Fudd. But while the noise around Azzi Fudd kept growing louder, one key figure in the story was nowhere near the spotlight, Paige Bueckers, and for a reason few saw coming.

The Dallas Wings star was off to a secret vacation in Croatia to surprise an injured teammate, Nika Muhl. “A trip needed for the soul. Can confirm they have sharks in the Croatian sea,” Bueckers captioned her photo dump from the trip. The caption references a past hilarious incident between Mühl and Bueckers. 

Mühl had claimed there were no sharks in Croatia but Bueckers argued that there are. The unfiltered Bueckers included that clip in her post but also a video of her surprising former UConn star. Muhl was sitting in the room without any idea when Bueckers popped out of nowhere. “What the f****? Oh my god, what the f****. What are you doing here? What is happening?” Mühl said as the Wings star hugged her. 

Mühl is going through a tough time after tearing her ACL for the second consecutive season. Mühl missed the 2025 season after tearing her left ACL while playing overseas for the Turkish club Besiktas in the FIBA SuperCup. Now, as she was ramping up for the 2026 season playing for Croatia in Eurobasket, she tore her left ACL. “Two new and improved knees incoming,” Bueckers wrote at the time, adding three smiling emojis.

In the latest Bueckers’ post, Mühl was seen in a cast as she is still recovering from the surgery. Even with her injury, Mühl was picked by the Portland Fire in the expansion draft. “We can bring her back to play professional basketball because she deserves it,” GM Vanja Černivec said, backing the former UConn star. She will also need emotional support from her Bff, Paige Bueckers. While that heartfelt moment painted a different picture of Bueckers off the court, the conversation surrounding her personal life wasn’t slowing down back home.

Azzi Fudd – Paige Bueckers Isn’t the Problem But Dallas Wings’ Response Is

The PR intervention of Azzi Fudd during the introductory press conference has sent waves across the media and fans. Some claimed that the personal lives of players aren’t on the table. Both Bueckers and Fudd have avoided talking about their personal relationship in public, apart from that one TikTok. However, there is a lot of precedent to this dynamic and how it has been handled without any problem. 

“It becomes a big deal when you make it a big deal, and it’s not a big deal. We had A’ja Wilson hit one of the game-winning shots in the WNBA Finals over a married couple in DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas,” Caroline Fenton of Yahoo Sports said. “We had DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith in a very public relationship on the Dallas Wings last year. This happens all the time in the W. This happens all the time in women’s sports.”

DeWanna Bonner was asked the same question regarding Alyssa Thomas last season after she joined the Mercury. “Definitely very happy, but it’s a job,” Bonner told reporters. “We come in as teammates, and we handle this as a business.” Fudd could have taken a similar approach and if this continues, this dynamic could affect the locker room. The noise beyond basketball can overshadow what they are trying to build in Dallas unless they can douse this fire.