No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd of the Dallas Wings is set for season-ending surgery on sore knee

Arlington, Texas — Dallas Wings point guard Azzi Fudd is set to undergo season-ending arthroscopic surgery on her right knee, according to the team, as the player's recurring knee issue has kept the 2025 overall selection out for five games. Fudd, who won the national championship in 2025 with fellow star Paige Bueckers during her time at UConn, will undergo the procedure next week in Connecticut, the city where she played previously for the Huskies. Bueckers took the top spot last season as the WNBA's rookie of the year.

Fudd began her career with the Wings as a bench player for the first six games of the season. She gained full-time playing time following her impressive 24-point performance in the sixth game, marking a transition from occasional playing time to becoming a permanent member of the lineup. Fudd's individual best performance of the season was a 26-point output in a victory against the Seattle Storm in June.

During that game, she participated in warm-ups before her team's home match against the Golden State Warriors on August 7, but was subsequently omitted from the lineup due to a precautionary approach, the team disclosed.

Despite her persistent discomfort, Fudd's condition worsened, necessitating offseason surgery. The Wings remain competitive, currently holding a 3-8 record since their six-game winning streak, which represented the franchise's longest winning streak since relocating to Texas 10 years ago. Dallas is poised to challenge for a playoff berth for the first time since 2023. The team is scheduled to host the Indiana Fever, along with rising star Caitlin Clark, in a home game against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night.