Wings' Azzi Fudd gets devastating injury news

Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Azzi Fudd's rookie season falls further behind Olivia Miles after latest injury news

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Aug 19, 2026 6:02 PM ET

Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd wishes she could swap rookie seasons with Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles.

Miles is a clear Rookie of the Year favorite after becoming one of the driving forces for a squad that may win a championship. Entering Wednesday, the Lynx (29-7) owned the best record in the WNBA, and former TCU Horned Frogs/Notre Dame Fighting Irish star Miles ranked first on the team in scoring (19.9 points per game).

Former UConn Huskies standout Fudd, meanwhile, is playing for a squad that's in position to make the playoffs but isn't expected to make a deep run. Entering Wednesday, the Wings (20-16) held the eighth-best record in the league; Fudd, the No. 1 pick of the 2026 WNBA Draft, ranked fourth on the team in scoring (13.1 PPG).

Fudd no longer has a chance to close the large gap with 2026 No. 2 pick Miles, as her rookie season is coming to an end.

Wings announce bad injury news for Azzi Fudd

On Wednesday, the Wings announced Fudd will undergo surgery to address ongoing soreness in her right knee. She will have the procedure done in Connecticut next week and immediately begin rehabbing.

Dallas Wings rookie guard Azzi Fudd will undergo an arthroscopic procedure to address ongoing right knee soreness, the team announced today. Fudd will have the procedure done in Connecticut early next week and will begin rehabbing immediately. With less than five weeks remaining…
— Dallas Wings PR (@DallasWingsPR) August 19, 2026

Fudd, who suffered a knee tear at UConn and another in high school, first experienced soreness on Aug. 7, before a game against the Golden State Valkyries. The Wings then ruled her out as a precaution. She has missed five straight games since first popping up on the injury report.

"The most important thing is her health in her return to play and her longevity," Wings head coach Jose Fernandez said of Fudd's absences on Aug. 12.

After the news broke, Fudd released a statement.

"Most of you probably already saw. I've got a small procedure coming up on my knee, and I'll be out as I recover.

"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."

"I know exactly what comes next: rehab, put in the work, come back ready and better than before"

Azzi Fudd released a statement after it was announced she's out for the remainder of the season. pic.twitter.com/3LnPAQAKZB
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) August 19, 2026

The injury update is a bummer for Fudd, who was beginning to show signs of progress after a slow start. She averaged just 11 PPG in her first six games this season, none of which she started. That number increased to 13.6 PPG over her last 24 games (all starts). She also became the first rookie to win the 3-Point Shooting Contest at All-Star Weekend.

Fudd can continue to improve and justify her billing as the top pick. However, she now must wait until 2027 to do that.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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