DHJ Quick Take: Azzi Fudd Goes Through Shootaround
- Positive Signs for Fudd: Despite the right knee designation, Azzi Fudd being a full participant in both Monday’s practice and Tuesday’s shootaround suggests the “probable” tag is more of a formality.
- The 20-Minute Target: Jose Fernandez shared his goal: to get the bench players currently in the 15-to-17-minute range closer to 20 minutes. This specifically points to Fudd and Aziaha James. To survive a 44-game season, Fernandez doesn’t want to have to run minutes too high for Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale every night.
- Backcourt Logjam as a Strength: Dallas has the rare “problem” of having five guards capable of starting. By keeping Fudd in a reserve role for now, Fernandez is allowing her to hunt shots against second units—a strategy that yielded her first professional points via a corner triple on Saturday.
- Home Court Atmosphere: This is the first regular-season game under Fernandez in Arlington. The sellout crowd will expect the same high-octane offense that dropped 107 in Indy, and Fudd’s gravity as a floor-spacer remains the key to maintaining those historic shooting percentages (52.2% from three in Game 1).
ARLINGTON, Texas — Dallas Wings rookie guard Azzi Fudd participated in shootaround Tuesday ahead of the team’s home opener against the Atlanta Dream.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft entered the day listed as probable with a right knee designation on the team’s injury report. Fudd also went through Monday’s full practice along with every other player on the Wings’ active roster, taking part in skill work alongside the team’s guards during the open media portion. No other Dallas player carries an injury designation for Tuesday’s game.
Fudd is coming off her WNBA debut Saturday in Indianapolis, where she scored 3 points on 1-of-2 shooting from 3-point range in 17 minutes off the bench. She hit a corner 3-pointer assisted by Jessica Shepard in the second quarter for her first professional points as the Wings beat the Indiana Fever 107-104 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Jose Fernandez on Azzi Fudd’s Role
Head coach Jose Fernandez was asked about Fudd’s role both postgame on Saturday and again after practice on Monday. The Wings’ backcourt rotation also includes Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale, Odyssey Sims, and Aziaha James.
“Just continuing to do what she’s doing,” Fernandez said. “It’s her first year in the league. We got five really talented backcourt players in Odyssey Sims, Paige, Arike, Azzi, and Aziaha James.”
Fernandez also signaled that managing minutes across that deep guard rotation will be an ongoing exercise as the schedule lengthens. Some of the guards who logged below the 20-minute threshold on Saturday could see increased playing time to balance workloads.
“We had two guys play 32 minutes,” Fernandez said. “We got to now, with coming back home, figure out how to get some of those that were in the 15s and 17s to 20s, because it’s a long year.”
Up Next
Tuesday’s matchup is the Wings’ first home game of the 2026 season and the first under Fernandez at College Park Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.’
More Wings Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal
- Dallas Wings Shootaround Interviews: Alanna Smith, Jessica Shepard Detail Matchup Against Angel Reese, Atlanta Dream In Home Opener
- Jose Fernandez On Azzi Fudd’s Path To Starting Role: ‘When That Happens, I Think She’ll Be Ready’
- Dallas Wings Injury Report: Azzi Fudd Probable For Home Opener vs. Atlanta Dream
- Dallas Wings WATCH: Jose Fernandez, Paige Bueckers, Odyssey Sims Preview Home Opener vs. Atlanta Dream
- Bueckers, Ogunbowale, Sims Each Score 20 As Wings Edge Fever 107-104 In Season Opener
- ‘I Felt A Lot Better’: How Azzi Fudd Used Dallas Wings Preseason To Get Comfortable Before WNBA Debut vs. Indiana Fever
- ‘Taking Ownership Of Who I Want To Be’: How Dallas Wings Star Paige Bueckers Prepared For Dominant Second Season
- WNBA MVP Odds: Dallas Wings Star Paige Bueckers Becomes Massive Liability For Sportsbooks
- WNBA GM Survey Votes Paige Bueckers Top Player To Build Around Over Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson
