DHJ Quick Take: Azzi Fudd Returns vs. Lynx
- Status Upgrade: After being listed as questionable earlier today, Azzi Fudd has been officially cleared for tonight’s matchup against Minnesota. The No. 1 overall pick responded well to Thursday’s morning shootaround and a full medical evaluation.
- Precautionary Management: Jose Fernandez reiterated that the decision to hold Fudd out of the home opener was strictly a “long-term health” move. The rookie is expected to provide a critical floor-spacing presence for an offense that struggled to a 4-of-26 shooting night from deep on Tuesday.
- Rotation Impact: With Fudd active, the Wings gain flexibility in their backcourt rotation alongside Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale. Expect her to see significant minutes off the bench as she continues to integrate into the lineup.
- Lynx Personnel: Minnesota arrives at College Park Center missing two frontcourt starters in Napheesa Collier and Dorka Juhász, potentially giving the Wings a tactical advantage in the paint for the 7 p.m. tip-off.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Dallas Wings rookie Azzi Fudd is available for Thursday’s home matchup against the Minnesota Lynx at College Park Center, the team announced. Fudd had been listed as questionable on the Wings’ official Thursday injury report with a right knee injury before being cleared after going through the team’s shootaround.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft will make her second WNBA appearance after missing Tuesday’s 77-72 home opener loss to the Atlanta Dream. Fudd participated in the Wings’ walkthrough and got shots up at College Park Center on Wednesday, then went through Thursday’s shootaround.
Fudd made her WNBA debut Saturday in the Wings’ 107-104 road win over the Indiana Fever, scoring 3 points on her first WNBA 3-pointer in 18 minutes off the bench. She was downgraded from probable to out hours before tip-off Tuesday for what head coach Jose Fernandez called a precautionary decision.
“In the opening night, out of an abundance of caution and her long-term health, we’re keeping her out tonight,” Fernandez said before Tuesday’s game.
On Wednesday, Fernandez said Fudd’s status would depend on how she responded to shootaround and the team’s medical evaluation.
“She walked through today, and she shot. So we’ll see how tonight goes and how she gets through shootaround, and then see how she feels and what our medical staff says. So we’ll see,” Fernandez told Dallas Hoops Journal.
The Wings (1-1) host the Lynx at 7 p.m. CT on Prime in the second game of a three-game homestand.
More Wings Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal
- ‘Picking Up Our Intensity’: Lessons From The Dallas Wings’ Atlanta Loss And How They Apply Against The Minnesota Lynx
- Azzi Fudd Participates In Shootaround; Dallas Wings Rookie Questionable vs. Minnesota Lynx
- Dallas Wings vs. Atlanta Dream Postgame Interviews: Arike Ogunbowale, Awak Kuier & Jose Fernandez (May 12, 2026)
- Dallas Wings Fall 77-72 To Atlanta Dream In Home Opener As Rebounding And Cold Shooting Sink Comeback Bid
- Dallas Wings’ Azzi Fudd Out vs. Atlanta Dream ‘Out Of An Abundance Of Caution,’ Jose Fernandez Says
- ‘Championship Standard’: Dallas Wings, Atlanta Dream Detail Matchup In Sold-Out Home Opener
- Jose Fernandez On Azzi Fudd’s Path To Starting Role: ‘When That Happens, I Think She’ll Be Ready’
- Bueckers, Ogunbowale, Sims Each Score 20 As Wings Edge Fever 107-104 In Season Opener
