ARLINGTON, Texas — Azzi Fudd addressed her knee injury publicly on Wednesday, after the Dallas Wings announced she will undergo an arthroscopic procedure and miss the remainder of the 2026 season.
Fudd posted the statement to her Instagram story on Wednesday.
“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,” Fudd wrote.
Fudd is scheduled to have the procedure done in Connecticut early next week and will begin rehabbing immediately. She shared her gratitude for those who support her as she begins this process.
“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,” Fudd added. “Thank you for all the messages today. They mean a lot to me.”
Dallas Wings Announced The Procedure Earlier Wednesday
The Wings cited ongoing soreness in Fudd’s right knee. Fewer than five weeks remain in the regular season. Per the team, additional updates will come after the procedure, though Dallas has not put a timetable on her return.
Fudd’s last game came Aug. 5 at the Washington Mystics. Two nights later, she went through warmups before the home date with the Golden State Valkyries. Soreness in the right knee kept her out. Five absences have followed: Golden State, the Minnesota Lynx, the Toronto Tempo, the Indiana Fever, and Golden State again.
Fudd worked off to the side with a trainer during Wednesday’s practice while the team ran a five-on-five session. Wings coach José Fernández declined to provide an update on her afterward. He said he had nothing new to share. On Aug. 12, Fernández described the process as a return-to-play protocol. He credited the coaching staff, the front office, the team’s data scientists, and its sports medicine and strength and conditioning departments for working through it together.
Azzi Fudd Has Been Through Knee Rehab Before
Fudd tore the ACL and medial meniscus in her right knee in November 2023 at UConn. She missed the remainder of that season. She returned for the 2024-25 season and started every game of the NCAA Tournament run that ended with the program’s championship.
Fudd spent five years at UConn. She was named the 2025 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player. She earned first-team All-American honors from The Associated Press and the United States Basketball Writers Association in 2026.
Azzi Fudd Averaged 13.1 Points Over 30 Games
Dallas took Fudd first overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft in April. Over 30 games, with 24 starts, she averaged 13.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 31.7 minutes. She shot 45.6% from the field, 39.7% from 3-point range, and 82.6% from the free-throw line. Fudd scored a career-high 26 points against the Seattle Storm.
Fudd leads the Wings in on-court net rating at 6.9 over 950 minutes. Dallas is -6.2 in the 500 minutes she has been off the floor.
In July, Fudd became the first rookie in league history to win the WNBA 3-Point Contest, doing so at Chicago’s Wintrust Arena during All-Star Weekend. She is also the first Wings player in franchise history to win the event.
Dallas Wings Host Indiana Fever On Thursday
Aziaha James did not practice Wednesday either. James has a lower left leg injury she suffered Aug. 12 against Toronto while attempting to take a charge, and she has not played since. Fernández declined to update her status as well.
Dallas is 20-16 and fourth in the Western Conference with eight games left. The Wings have lost two in a row and five of seven. Jessica Shepard returned Monday at Chase Center after missing two games with a right ankle injury. Dallas signed Christyn Williams to a Developmental Player contract on Aug. 14. Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale, and Odyssey Sims remain in the backcourt. Bueckers and Fudd were teammates at UConn and won the 2025 national championship together.
The Wings host Indiana on Thursday at 7 p.m. CT at American Airlines Center. Thursday is the third and final regular-season meeting between the teams. Dallas won the opener 107-104 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 9. Indiana won 98-87 on Aug. 14. The Fever are 24-12 and lead the Eastern Conference. Thursday’s tip-off streams on Prime Video and airs locally on WFAA.
