Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd just dropped a bombshell: arthroscopic surgery on her right knee means she’s out for the rest of the season. This isn’t just a minor blip; it’s a gut punch that instantly reshapes the entire WNBA rookie landscape, hitting hard after she hasn’t even played since August 5.
The Fudd Fallout Shakes Everything Up
Man, what a blow for Fudd and the Wings. She’s been a consistent force, a top-five presence in these rookie rankings all season, and now she’s done. Before this devastating news, she was averaging 13.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. She wasn’t just putting up numbers; she was one of Dallas’ strongest defenders, making a real impact on that end of the court. And let’s not forget the All-Star weekend, either! Fudd made history, becoming the first rookie *ever* to win the WNBA 3-point shooting contest. To see a talent like that sidelined, especially after such a strong showing, it’s just rough. Her exit leaves a massive hole and blows the Rookie of the Year conversation wide open.
Ankle Twists and Big Comebacks
Fudd isn’t the only rookie getting battered this season. Injuries are slamming this whole class. Olivia Miles, who’s been a frontrunner for Rookie of the Year, looked like she tweaked her ankle just this past Wednesday. You hate to see it happen to someone at the top of their game.
Meanwhile, Kiki Rice from the Tempo is finally making her return after her own left ankle sprain kept her out for ages, she’s only hit the court for 19 of 35 games this season. August has been good for her, though. In her last game against Washington, she dropped 19 points on a hot 55.6% shooting from the field, including a killer 3 of 4 from downtown. The Tempo might not have won a game since she got back, dropping 12 straight, but Coach Sandy Brondello isn’t calling them failures. She sees them as “learnings,” especially with all the injuries. Brondello even called Rice a “franchise player,” someone they’re going to keep investing in. That’s a huge vote of confidence right there for what she means to that team.
Johnson’s Tough Return to the Court
Another one fighting through it is Flau’jae Johnson. She suffered a left ankle sprain against Portland on August 8, missing two games. She returned on August 16 against Chicago, but it wasn’t her best night, only scoring five points in 30 minutes and hitting two out of seven attempts from the field. It’s tough coming back from injury, and she probably wasn’t 100%. She still held onto the No. 4 ranking this week, getting the benefit of the doubt that she will bounce back.
With players dropping like flies and others battling back, this rookie class is proving to be as resilient as they are talented. The rest of the regular season is going to be a wild sprint to see who can stay healthy and make their final case. Who steps up for Rookie of the Year when it feels like everyone’s limping to the finish line? The stakes are high for these young stars, and every single game matters now.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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