NFL
By: Lamarr Fields
The Dallas Wings are having a solid season with a 20-16 record. On Wednesday night, the Wings got some bad news. The team said that Azzi Fudd will have arthroscopic surgery on her right knee next week in Connecticut. She will begin rehabbing immediately. With less than five weeks remaining in the regular season following the procedure, Fudd will miss the remainder of the 2026 season.
Fudd Speaks
Fudd has this to say via Instagram: “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.”
Rookie Season
The Wings selected Fudd first overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft. Following five years at the University of Connecticut, including the 2025 NCAA Championship season. Over 30 games this season, Fudd has averaged 13.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.73 steals and 0.83 blocks. Her steals average leads all rookies while her blocks rank second and scoring third. According to a press release, her scoring average ranks third all-time among Wings rookies, while her steals average and three-pointers made rank among the best in team history for Dallas first-year players.
In July, Fudd became the first rookie in league history to win the WNBA 3-Point Contest. In doing so at Chicago’s Wintrust Arena during All-Star Weekend. Fudd, the first Wings player in franchise history to win the Contest. In doing so with the second-highest score in a finale in WNBA 3-Point Contest history (30 points), making 20-of-26 shots in the final round, including eight of her last 10.
Injury History
Fudd’s professional setback adds to a long history of significant right knee issues dating back to her college and high school career. In 2024, Fudd suffered a minor knee sprain. In 2023, ACL and Meniscus tear, and in 2019, an ACL and MCL tear.
Dallas has lost four of the last five games Fudd has missed and is 2-7 since the All-Star break. With Fudd out, Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale need to step up even more for the Wings to hang on to their playoff spot.
