The Dallas Wings just got hit with some absolutely brutal news: star guard Azzi Fudd is officially out for the entire season with a knee injury. This isn’t just a minor setback, either. Fudd, who’s had knee problems for ages, is heading in for another procedure on a knee that’s already kept her sidelined for the past two weeks. It’s a gut punch for the team and for fans, especially considering what she brings to the court.
The On-Court Impact Is Already Hitting Hard
This is a massive loss, no doubt about it. Fudd’s rookie season was impressive, man. She was dropping 13.1 points per game, grabbing 1.7 boards, dishing out 1.8 assists, and snagging 1.7 steals across 30 games. For a rookie, that’s serious production! She ranked fourth in points per game among rookies and led the whole class in made 3-pointers. But here’s the kicker: Dallas was way better with Fudd on the floor than off it. She led the Wings with a +13.1 net rating, and the team had a 6.9 net rating in the 950 minutes she played. That was the highest among any player on the squad. Contrast that with a brutal -6.2 net rating in the 500 minutes she sat out. The proof is in the pudding, right? The Wings have gone 1-4 since she’s been sidelined, dropping games to the Golden State Valkyries (twice), the Indiana Fever, and the Minnesota Lynx. Their record has slid to 20-16, and while they still hold a 4.5-game lead over the Portland Fire for that 8th and final playoff spot, it feels a lot less secure now. Even with MVP candidate Paige Bueckers leading the team in scoring in each of the last five games, they’re still losing.
Who Steps Up, And Can They Fix That Defense?
So, with Fudd out, veteran guard Odyssey Sims is suddenly super important. She’s been coming off the bench for most of the season, averaging 3 points and 1.7 assists in those spots. But as a starter, she kicks it up to 8.9 points and 2.9 assists per game. Plus, she averaged 10.3 points and 4 assists over 12 games for the Indiana Fever last season. So Sims can definitely provide some scoring and playmaking. But here’s the rub: Fudd quickly became one of the team’s top perimeter stoppers. The Wings already have the fourth-worst defense among playoff teams, and they were noticeably better defensively with Fudd out there. Sims, while good on offense, is a clear step down on the defensive end. That’s a huge hole the Wings need to fill if they want to hold onto their playoff spot.
The Big Picture: Can Azzi Fudd Stay Healthy?
Honestly, beyond this season, the big picture concern for the Dallas Wings has to be Fudd’s long-term health. The No. 1 overall pick had a really strong rookie season, and it’s not totally shocking for guards to pick up injuries after a grueling college basketball season. But you can’t ignore Fudd’s history here. She only appeared in 42 games over her first three seasons at UConn before playing in 73 of 79 in her final two years. She even tore her right ACL and MCL in high school, and then again in college. That’s a lot of mileage on those knees, man. The Wings haven’t given us a ton of info, but Fudd herself said on Instagram she knows what’s next: “rehab, put in the work, come back ready and better than before.” Let’s hope so. The Wings need to figure out how to maintain that playoff lead without their star, and Fudd has a long road ahead to get back on the court and stay there.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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