DHJ Quick Take: Azzi Fudd’s Historic Breakout Powers Wings’ Statement Win Over Liberty
- A Historic Rookie Milestone: No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd delivered a career-defining performance on Sunday, lighting up Barclays Center for 24 points while hitting 6-of-12 from beyond the arc. Her shooting display set a new WNBA rookie record for the most 3-pointers made in a single game.
- Earning the Second-Half Start: After coming off the bench in the first half to spark the offense, Fudd’s dominant play forced a strategic rotation change. Head coach Jose Fernandez handed her the start in the second half, letting her log a season-high 32 minutes and finish as a team-best plus-22.
- Dismantling the Champions: Backed by Fudd’s fireworks, Paige Bueckers matched her with 24 points while orchestrating the defense on switches against Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu. Arike Ogunbowale added 19 points as Dallas blew past the 2024 champion New York Liberty 91-76 to finish their road trip 2-1.
- The Halftime Defensive Mandate: Fernandez credited the victory to a blunt halftime locker-room challenge, urging his roster to take individual matchups personally. The Wings responded by locking down the Liberty’s star-studded perimeter and matching their physical frontcourt to a 34-34 tie on the glass.
BROOKLYN — The Dallas Wings beat the New York Liberty 91-76 on Sunday afternoon at Barclays Center to close out a three-game road trip with a 2-1 stretch and a statement win over a 2024 WNBA champion. Dallas improved to 4-3 on the season with its second win in three games.
Azzi Fudd turned in the best performance of her young WNBA career, scoring 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting and connecting on 6-of-12 from three in 32 minutes off the bench. The No. 1 overall pick set a WNBA rookie record for made 3-pointers in a single game, was a plus-22 in the win, and started the second half after coming off the bench in the first.
Paige Bueckers matched Fudd’s 24 points on 7-of-13 shooting and a perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line, added 6 rebounds, and defended Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu on switches. Arike Ogunbowale poured in 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists. Jessica Shepard stuffed the box score with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists, leading the Wings to a 34-34 rebounding split against the Liberty’s size advantage. Awak Kuier added 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 24 minutes off the bench, including 2-of-3 from three.
Head coach Jose Fernandez said Fudd’s performance validated the franchise’s decision in April.
“I think now everyone knows why we took her number one,” Fernandez said.
Fudd told reporters her focus was on slowing down her decision-making after rushing through earlier games.
“My goal today was just to play a little bit slower. I felt like I was rushing a little bit every time I caught the ball. I wasn’t reading right away. I was just putting the ball down, going too fast,” Fudd said. “So my goal was just to slow down, and my teammates were setting great screens, giving me great passes. Reading what was there was the key tonight.”
Bueckers framed Fudd’s breakout as a matter of timing rather than surprise.
“Same thing that Arike’s saying, but we knew she had this in her. We knew it was only a matter of time. It takes time as a rookie to get your legs under you, your feet going, and just get some experience and reps at it,” Bueckers said. “So it was only a matter of time before we knew the breakout was coming.”
Ogunbowale spoke to Fudd’s growth seven games into her rookie season.
“I think it just shows what she’s capable of. Obviously the world’s putting pressure on her, but it’s day by day. She’s still a rookie. She’s still learning. It’s literally only game seven, and she’s coming into her own,” Ogunbowale said. “But we need her to be aggressive like this — shoot the ball whenever she’s open — and she did that today, so it was good to see.”
Fernandez confirmed Fudd’s rotation minutes will continue to expand.
“How many minutes did she play tonight? Thirty-two? Her minutes have increased game by game. I think it’s been a conversation. I think we’re headed that direction. I think it showed with her being on the floor and what she did. She started in the second half,” Fernandez said.
Fernandez also credited the team’s commitment to defending at halftime as the difference in the game.
“I told them at halftime the team that was going to win this game — both very good offensive teams — was going to be the team that took it personal and the team that was going to do a much better job on the defensive end,” Fernandez said. “The team that decided to defend and continue to score on the other end was going to be the team that won. That was us.”
Bueckers spoke to the Wings’ identity and the foundation the group is building.
“For us to have a set identity and a set foundation for what we want to look like on any given night, that’s to control the controllables — whether it’s our energy, effort, our attitude, how selfless we play, how we play together, and how we talk and communicate,” Bueckers said. “I feel like we did a lot of that tonight. We played really connected, really together on both sides of the floor.”
Stewart led the Liberty with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Satou Sabally added 20 points on 6-of-14 shooting in her return to action, Jonquel Jones posted 14 points and 7 rebounds, and Ionescu finished with 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists on 4-of-15 shooting. The Liberty fell to 3-3 on the season and were without Leonie Fauthoux (left knee rehab), Leonie Fiebich (rest), and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (personal).
The Wings return home Tuesday to host the Las Vegas Aces at College Park Center, with tip-off set for 7 p.m. CT.
Full interviews below.
Jose Fernandez
Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale & Azzi Fudd
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