ARLINGTON, Texas — Three Dallas Wings players are out for Friday’s game at the Indiana Fever. Azzi Fudd remains out with a right knee injury, while Jessica Shepard will miss another game with a right ankle injury. Aziaha James joined them on Thursday’s status report after injuring her lower left leg in Wednesday’s 94-88 win over the Toronto Tempo.
James was also listed as not with the team.
Dallas is 20-14 entering the two-game road trip. Friday’s tip-off at Gainbridge Fieldhouse is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on ION.
Azzi Fudd Remains In Return-To-Play Process
Friday will be the fourth game in a row Fudd has missed. Her last appearance came Aug. 5 against the Washington Mystics, followed by absences against the Golden State Valkyries, Minnesota Lynx and Toronto.
Dallas had lost five of six before Wednesday’s win.
In 30 games, Fudd is averaging 13.1 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists. She has started 24 times and is shooting 45.6% from the field and 39.7% from 3-point range. Fudd’s 1.7 steals per game lead Dallas. Fernández has also deployed her regularly against the opponent’s top perimeter scorer.
Wings coach José Fernández said Fudd’s health and longevity remain the priority as Dallas works through her return.
“I think right now we’re in a return-to-play protocol,” Fernández said. “We have an incredible collaboration with, you know, not only the staff, the front office, our data scientists, our strength and conditioning, our sports medicine. So the most important thing is her health and her return to play and her longevity.”
Alanna Smith said Fudd forces defenses to account for her anywhere on the floor.
“I think Azzi is just someone that you have to guard, no matter where she is on the floor,” Smith said. “And so she has — I think the WNBA is doing this now: gravity. She has gravity.”
Smith also said Dallas has leaned on Fudd for difficult guard assignments because of her defensive IQ.
Dallas Wings Still Without Jessica Shepard
Sunday’s game in Minnesota was Shepard’s last appearance. She injured her right ankle in the 103-90 loss and sat Wednesday for the first time this season.
Shepard started Dallas’ first 33 games. Through those appearances, she is averaging 14.2 points, 11.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists while shooting 58.6% from the field. Her 11.4 rebounds lead the Wings. Only Paige Bueckers is averaging more assists for Dallas.
With Shepard out Wednesday, Smith moved into the starting lineup and had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Awak Kuier scored 14 points. Kuier also recorded the 100th block of her WNBA career. She needs four more to reach the franchise record.
Maddy Siegrist, Alysha Clark and Li Yueru have also received frontcourt minutes this season, largely based on the matchup.
Fernández said Shepard’s injury created opportunities elsewhere in the rotation.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for Alanna and Awak and Maddy and AC and Li,” Fernández said.
Aziaha James Joins Injury Report
James went down late in the fourth quarter Wednesday while trying to take a charge. A Toronto player landed awkwardly on her leg, and James did not return.
There was no immediate update available after the game.
Before the injury, James played 12 minutes and had 2 points, 3 rebounds and an assist. She had appeared in every game for Dallas this season. Through 34 games, James is averaging 6.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 11.5 minutes. She has made two starts.
Three days before the Toronto game, James had her highest-scoring game of the season at Minnesota. She went 7-of-10 from the field for 19 points and grabbed six rebounds off the bench.
Dallas had to change its defensive rotation after she left Wednesday. Fernández had Bueckers on the bench near the end of the third quarter, then went back to her to defend Marina Mabrey.
Fernández said Dallas finished the game without Fudd, Shepard or James available.
“But we’re shorthanded today,” Fernández said afterward. “I was very, very proud with what this group did. With Azzi out, with Shep out, and Aziaha going down for us to close out.”
Dallas Returns To Indiana
Friday will be Dallas’ second trip to Gainbridge Fieldhouse this regular season.
The Wings won there 107-104 on May 9. It was the first season opener in WNBA history in which both teams scored at least 100 points. Arike Ogunbowale led Dallas with 22 points. Bueckers and Odyssey Sims scored 20 apiece.
Since 2021, Dallas is 6-2 in regular-season games at Indiana. The Fever lead the all-time series 41-37.
Indiana is 21-12 and has won four of its last six games. On Tuesday, the Fever beat the New York Liberty 106-92 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Kelsey Mitchell scored 28 points.
Against Toronto, Dallas allowed nine offensive rebounds in the first half and nearly as many after halftime. Fernández said the total needs to come down.
“We’ll go to Indiana and figure out how many guys are healthy at Indiana and go from there,” Fernández said.
Dallas plays at Golden State on Aug. 17. The Wings return home Aug. 20 for another game against Indiana at 7 p.m. CT.
