DHJ Quick Take: Azzi Fudd’s First WNBA Start Headlines Dallas Wings’ Home Opener vs. Las Vegas Aces
- Fudd Earns First WNBA Start: Head coach Jose Fernandez confirmed rookie Azzi Fudd will make her first WNBA start Thursday alongside Paige Bueckers in the Wings’ backcourt. Fernandez said the decision was set independent of the illness affecting the roster and the No. 1 overall pick gained first-unit reps across two practice days this week.
- Brooklyn Breakout Set The Stage: Fudd scored a career-high 24 points and set the Wings franchise rookie record with 6 made 3-pointers in Sunday’s 91-76 win over the New York Liberty, logging a season-high 32 minutes off the bench. Her 17-point third quarter tied for the second-most by a rookie in any quarter since the WNBA transitioned to quarters in 2006.
- On/Off Numbers Reinforce The Move: The Wings have outscored opponents by 13.1 points per 100 possessions with Fudd on the floor and been outscored by 7.7 per 100 when she sits. Dallas’ offensive rating climbs from 96.5 with Fudd off the court to 122.0 with her on.
- Wings Face Defending Champion Aces: Dallas hosts the Las Vegas Aces at 7 p.m. CT on Prime. The Aces hold a 46-36 edge in the all-time series, and Dallas hasn’t beaten Las Vegas in the regular season since 2024. Fudd called four-time MVP A’ja Wilson “unguardable” after Wednesday’s practice.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Rookie Azzi Fudd will start for the Dallas Wings against the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday at College Park Center, joining Paige Bueckers in the backcourt.
The Wings will start Bueckers at point guard, Fudd at shooting guard, Arike Ogunbowale at small forward, Maddy Siegrist at power forward, and Jessica Shepard at center. Fernandez said the decision to start Fudd was set before illness moved through the roster, independent of Ogunbowale’s availability.
“Azzi was going to start regardless today,” Fernandez said. “So if everybody was healthy, our starting lineup was going to be Paige, Azzi, Arike, Alanna and Jess.”
Fudd also gained reps with the first unit during the team’s two practice days this week, work that set up her move into the starting lineup ahead of Thursday’s matchup.
Coming Off A Record-Setting Outing
The start continues a steady expansion of Fudd’s role. The No. 1 overall pick scored a career-high 24 points and set the Wings franchise rookie record with 6 made 3-pointers in Sunday’s 91-76 road win over the New York Liberty at Barclays Center, logging a season-high 32 minutes and finishing a plus-22. She came off the bench in the first half before Fernandez handed her the start in the second half — a sequence that previewed Thursday’s official move.
Fudd’s 17 points in the third quarter against the Liberty tied for the second-most by a rookie in any quarter since the WNBA transitioned to quarters in 2006 and represented the most by a rookie in a single quarter since Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard on May 15, 2022.
Fernandez framed the performance as the validation of a roster decision Dallas has carried since draft night after New York media posed the question pregame.
“I think now everyone knows why we took her number one,” Fernandez said after the Brooklyn win.
Fudd is averaging 11.0 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 23.8 minutes per game through 6 appearances this season, shooting 56.3% from the floor, 43.5% from three, and 100% from the free-throw line. Her minutes have largely climbed across her first six WNBA games: 18 in her debut at Indiana on May 9, then 20 against Minnesota, 24 against Washington, 28 in Chicago, 21 in Atlanta, and 32 against the Liberty.
The Numbers Behind Azzi Fudd’s Impact
The advanced metrics reinforce why Fernandez has pushed Fudd’s minutes higher. With Fudd on the floor this season, the Wings have posted a 122.0 offensive rating and outscored opponents by 13.1 points per 100 possessions, the fourth-best on-court net rating on the roster. The team’s effective field goal percentage climbs to 58.8% with her in the game.
When Fudd sits, the Wings’ offense drops sharply. Through 129 minutes with Fudd off the floor, Dallas has been outscored by 7.7 points per 100 possessions, with the offensive rating falling to 96.5 and the effective field goal percentage dipping to 46.1%.
Fernandez has consistently described Fudd’s impact as a unique two-way lift, pointing to her shooting, spacing, and creation as the levers that change the math of the Wings’ offense.
“She gives us such a big lift when we go to her off the bench because she can shoot it, she can space the floor, she can create off the bounce,” Fernandez said ahead of the New York game. “Game by game, I think that you’ve seen how comfortable she’s getting, both on the offensive side and the defensive side of the ball.”
Azzi Fudd On Her Growing Comfort
Fudd said her standout outing in Brooklyn marked a turning point in her comfort level on both ends of the floor.
“I definitely felt the most comfortable I’ve felt in New York, and I think you kind of saw that. And not just in me making shots, but just in my movements,” Fudd said. “Offensively, defensively, I felt like I just moved the most confidently I have all season.”
She attempted 12 3-pointers in the win — also a season high — and traced the volume back to a deliberate change in tempo that reconnected her to her college habits.
“A big thing was that I slowed down that game. I was trying to be very intentional about taking a deep breath and slowing down. I felt like before, coming off screens or even when the ball found me, I was rushing. I would put the ball on the floor right away. I would try to attack right away, even though people would go under off a handoff,” Fudd said. “And it’s stuff that I did every game at UConn, every practice at UConn — I would not hesitate shooting it. So I think I was just rushing a little bit, so being a little more patient.”
Fudd said her growing chemistry with her teammates has come from learning their tendencies in the half court.
“Learning these plays, these offenses, being comfortable in that, and then learning my teammates and knowing — Jess and the other bigs — knowing that I like to not just do ball screens, I like to play pitch-and-catch with them,” Fudd said. “Or they know I like to go backdoor sometimes. And knowing what they like to do, when they like to roll, when they like to pop and slip.”
Asked whether the Brooklyn performance has added any pressure to maintain that level, Fudd brushed off the framing.
“No, I wouldn’t say I feel any pressure. I think definitely it’s a little confidence boost to see a three go in finally. But just knowing, seeing that happen and seeing that I belong here felt good,” Fudd said. “Obviously I’m not gonna shoot 12 threes, I’m not gonna have 24 points every night, but knowing that I can help this team and contribute.”
A Defensive Anchor In The Backcourt
Fudd’s defense has drawn as much praise as her shooting. In Brooklyn, she defended Sabrina Ionescu down the stretch as the Wings held the 2024 WNBA champions to 32 second-half points. Fernandez has highlighted her instincts since training camp.
“She has really, really good instincts, whether it’s her touching or walling up. Then also when she’s away from the ball, reading what’s happening in the passing lanes,” Fernandez said earlier in the week.”
After the Brooklyn win, Fernandez expanded on what makes Fudd’s instincts translate so quickly to the pro level.
“Her hands are active. She does a good job pressing up. Sometimes she presses up too much above the 28-foot line where she can get in trouble and the ball goes by her, but her hands are so active in terms of deflections,” Fernandez said. “You can tell she has such great instincts that you just can’t teach in regards to switching and X-ing out on the backside. If she’s stuck on a big, she’s not going to sit behind. She’s going to work to the front and make someone make a tough pass over the top.”
Fudd said the Wings’ plan against A’ja Wilson is built around collective effort, especially with Smith out.
“It’s not necessarily us guarding A’ja tonight, but making sure we’re doing our part in boxing out and rebounding,” Fudd said. “Just making sure we’re clogging the paint as much as we can and making things difficult for her on the offensive end.”
She added that she has leaned on veteran guard Odyssey Sims to sharpen her on-ball defense.
“O does a phenomenal job on-ball defense, so trying to pick her brain, trying to have her teach me all her little secrets and tricks,” Fudd said. “Just trying to learn from my vets in any way I can.”
Thursday’s Matchup
Tip-off is 7 p.m. CT on Prime. Las Vegas holds a 46-36 edge in the all-time series, and Dallas hasn’t beaten the Aces in the regular season since 2024.
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