Dallas Wings rookie Azzi Fudd out for season after knee surgery

Dallas Wings rookie guard Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA draft, will miss the remainder of the season, including the playoffs, after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on her right knee early next week in Connecticut. The team announced the procedure on Wednesday, confirming the end to a promising debut season cut short by persistent knee soreness.

Fudd has been sidelined since experiencing soreness during warmups before a home game on August 7 against the Golden State Valkyries, a game in which she was held out "out of an abundance of caution." The discomfort persisted, causing her to miss five consecutive contests. Her surgery will be performed by the same medical staff that previously treated significant injuries to the same knee. Fudd has a well-documented injury history, having torn the ACL and MCL in her right knee while in high school and later missing the remainder of UConn’s 2023-24 season after tearing the ACL and medial meniscus.

The 23-year-old averaged 13.1 points, 1.8 assists, 1.7 rebounds, and a rookie-leading 1.7 steals per game over 30 appearances this season. Her 45.6% shooting from the field and 39.7% from three-point range bolstered an...