The stat lines change practically every week in a league as competitive as the WNBA. However, what has not changed is the fact that Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 pick from the 2026 draft for the Dallas Wings, still leads all rookies in steals this season, despite not playing since August 5. A remarkable feat, if you ask us.

Polymarket Hoops shared this stat in an X post on Tuesday, September 1, writing “INSANE: Azzi Fudd still leads all rookies in steals this season despite not playing in nearly a month 🤯.”

Indeed, the stats Azzi Fudd has put up this season deserve to be highlighted. She has 52 steals in 30 games, one more than Flau’jae Johnson’s 51 in 38 games and Olivia Miles’ 48 in 38 games.

While she has the highest steals among rookies, she ranks fourth overall in steals per game (1.7), behind WNBA leader Rhyne Howard (2.3), Jordin Canada (1.9), and Angel Reese (1.8), all of whom play for the Atlanta Dream.

On the personal front, having played 30 of 40 games, Fudd has averaged 13.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, and leads the Wings in steals. Behind her in total steals are Arike Ogunbowale (39) and Paige Bueckers (32).

Fudd’s defense has stood out even more: across 30 games, in addition to 52 steals, she has racked up 25 blocks. She has the second-most blocks in the Wings after Awak Kuier’s 57.

Azzi Fudd has wrapped up her rookie year with 55 assists compared to only 33 turnovers, coughing up the ball just 1.1 times per game despite logging close to 32 minutes on the floor, evidence that she can dictate play on the hard court when called upon.

Fudd’s last game for the Wings was against the Washington Mystics on August 5, which ended in a 96-92 loss. Later that month, Fudd underwent an arthroscopic procedure in her right knee to address soreness and will be sidelined for the rest of the 2026 season.

Fudd has emerged as a key two-way player for the Wings this season. This can be seen from the fact that they went 1-4 in the first five games after Fudd was out of the lineup. The lone victory came against the struggling Toronto Tempo.

Azzi Fudd’s presence has enabled her teammates to get on board more freely. Paige Bueckers is averaging a career-high 20.5 points per game, while adding 4.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists.

Fudd’s scoring is also quite efficient. She boasts a 45.6 FG% and a 3P% of 39.7. After she was sidelined, the Wings sometimes struggled to stretch the floor as they lacked Fudd’s perimeter shooting. She ranks an impressive 11th in the league in three-pointers made per game, at 2.1, per ESPN.

The knee injury is not the first major injury that Fudd has seen in her nascent career. Fudd’s right knee troubles date back to age 16, when she tore her ACL and MCL and needed two separate reconstructive surgeries. She eventually recovered and committed to UConn, but the knee has remained a persistent concern.

During the 2022 NCAA season, she sat out five games after a teammate collided with her right knee. The following year brought a non-contact injury that sidelined her for seven weeks — the specifics of both incidents were never fully disclosed.

Then, a year later at UConn, she was forced to redshirt after tearing her ACL again, this time along with her meniscus. Just over two weeks after returning from that setback, she suffered a sprain during the 2024 NCAA season, costing her another two weeks on the court.

While the Wings prepare for life without Azzi Fudd in the playoffs, Fudd shared her thoughts on her time off the court.

Azzi Fudd Reflects On Her Recovery And Time Off The Court

Azzi Fudd is no stranger to making comebacks from serious injuries. After the arthroscopic procedure on her right knee, she shared her thoughts on her recovery process.

“Hey, Most of you probably already saw. I have got a small procedure coming up on my knee, and I’ll be out as I recover,” she said in her social media post. “I know exactly what comes next: rehab, put in the work, come back, ready and better than before. Grateful for my family, my circle, and the Wings organization for the support. Thank you for all the messages today, they mean a lot to me.”

Following the Wings’ 96-78 victory over the Portland Fire on Tuesday, August 25, the Dallas Wings head coach Jose Fernandez also gave an update on Fudd’s surgery and recovery.

“Azzi Fudd had a great procedure,” Fernandez said (via CTInsider). “She’ll be back with the team after the World Cup break.”

While the Wings have signed Fudd’s replacement, Kitija Laksa, to a rest-of-season contract after getting an exception from the WNBA, only time will tell how they fare in the playoffs.

Dallas will play their next game against the Los Angeles Sparks on September 17.