The alarm bells started ringing when Azzi Fudd showed up on the injury report. The Wings listed her as probable with a right knee issue. Per Dallas Hoops Journal, Fudd also participated in the team’s shootaround on May 12, doing skill work next to the team’s other guards. However, just two hours before the home opener against the Atlanta Dream, Fudd was ruled out, and the Wings’ head coach, Jose Fernandez, gave the reason why. 

Fudd was previously surprisingly left off the starting lineup against the Indiana Fever. Coming from the bench, Fudd had only three points in 18 minutes of game action, which is the fewest points for a No. 1 pick in 20 seasons. Now, the fans finally understand one of the factors in Fudd’s slow start to her WNBA career, as Jose Fernandez explains her absence from the Dream game. 

“Out of an abundance of caution and for her long-term health, we’re keeping her out tonight,” Fernandez said. He further refused to discuss any details regarding Fudd’s injury and clarified that she will be central to this team’s success. “I’m not going to discuss anything medically in regard to her or what she has done in practice or hasn’t done in practice,” he said. “She’s a big part of this team. There’s a reason why we drafted her number one, and she’s going to have a great season for the Dallas Wings.”

With Fudd out, Aziaha James will likely have a more pronounced role until she returns. James impressed in the game against the Fever, scoring 10 points, grabbing 2 rebounds, and dishing 2 assists. She contributed on defense as well, guarding Caitlin Clark at various points in the game.

Fernandez hinted that the immediate shift from the NCAA Tournament to the WNBA might have taken a toll on Azzi Fudd. “She just finished playing a long season, and we have to put her in the best positions to be successful,” Fernandez said.

The expedited nature of the offseason made it even worse. UConn crashed out of the 2026 NCAA Tournament in the Final Four against South Carolina on April 4. The draft was only 14 days later, on April 18 with the training camp beginning as well. There was practically no rest for Fudd after a gruelling season and then there is her long history with knee injuries

Fudd tore her ACL and MCL in her right knee in April 2019 while playing with USA Basketball. In 2023, she tore the ACL in her right knee yet again, causing her to sit out another year. Yet, she has been resilient and bounced back with impressive college basketball seasons in 2024 and 2025. But, naturally, the concerns are that this injury might affect Fudd long-term. 

Jose Fernandez Shrugs Off Any Long-Term Concern For Azzi Fudd

ACL injuries are already tricky to begin with. But research shows it’s worse for women. They are more likely to tear their ACLs, and the long-term effects can affect the player, too. There is a higher re-injury risk, and persistent instability can trouble patients like Azzi Fudd. For a player who went No. 1 in the draft, such concerns become even more pronounced, as they could derail her career. 

The Wings don’t expect to be at the top of the draft if everything goes according to plan. This is their consecutive No. 1 pick, and they have filled up on multiple key pieces like Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepherd in the offseason.

They want to be much better than they were in the last two years. So, a lot was riding on this pick. And there were competitive options like Awa Fam and Olivia Miles. Jose Fernandez clarified that there were no concerns regarding Fudd. 

“I’m sure the front office and strength and conditioning and sports medicine ― everybody ― does their due diligence, right? But there weren’t any concerns whatsoever,” Fernandez said. 

Despite sitting out the home opener, Fudd was in good spirits. She linked up with Nancy Lieberman as she took her seat on the sidelines. While the start to her WNBA career has not been the best, Fudd’s talent will be essential for the Wings later in the season. She is a pure shooter and will elevate their outside shooting once she gets into rhythm.