The Dallas Wings may have opened their 2026 season with a massive win over Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, but somehow, the biggest conversation that is refusing to go away from that night had very little to do with the final score. Because fans still cannot get over the fact that No. 1 pick Azzi Fudd came off the bench.
Yes, a dramatic 107-104 win over one of the strongest teams on their home court should have broken the headlines, but Fudd dominated the conversation as most fans expected the night to officially kick off with the Paige Bueckers – Fudd duo. But when everyone saw the 23-year-old star sitting on the bench, it created so much buzz that now even a 2× WNBA All-Star is questioning the move.
Speaking on the latest episode of Chiney Today, Chiney Ogwumike revealed that bringing Fudd off the bench might not have been the best move for the rookie’s confidence so early into her professional career.
“The last thing that you want is for someone to not feel fully confident in belonging,” she explained. “Azzi is the best shooter that we’ve seen in a long time. She’s a pure shooter, and she’s someone that is also a perfectionist.”
Chiney Ogwumike on Azzi not starting in the Wings game against the Fever pic.twitter.com/4OrOtQUnDL
— Azzi Fudd Report (@AzziReport) May 12, 2026
“I think for her, she needs to be able to feel confident knowing that I belong. Coming into the game off the bench, you’re creating a mental challenge or a mental block that sometimes just playing that player, letting them go through the fire, that is the best way to learn,” she further added.
The concern from Ogwumike mainly stemmed from how little involvement Azzi Fudd actually had during her debut. The rookie logged only 17 minutes and attempted just two shots all night, eventually finishing with the fewest points ever scored by a No. 1 overall pick in a WNBA regular-season debut.
“You don’t want to create this loss of confidence for your number one pick because she’s getting limited minutes,” Ogwumike added. “17 minutes, she only shot the ball twice. That to me should never happen, especially when you’re the No. 1 pick. You should have the opportunity to be able to sort of control your own destiny.”
Ever since Dallas selected the former UConn star, the excitement around the possibility of reuniting her with Paige Bueckers skyrocketed. Add in Clark returning healthy for Indiana after an injury-filled 2025 season, and the Wings-Fever opener suddenly felt much bigger than just Game 1 of the regular season.
Even though Fudd averaged eight points per game in the preseason, head coach Jose Fernandez chose a veteran-heavy lineup featuring Odyssey Sims, Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale, Jessica Shepard, and Alanna Smith. However, that doesn’t mean that the organization’s belief in Fudd has not changed at all.
“I don’t think about it that way,” coach Fernandez said when asked whether her path to a starting role could now take longer than expected. “Is she capable of doing that? Yes, she is. When it does happen, I think she’ll be ready.”
But as the debate around her developmental approach continues to grow, fans already have another concern altogether.
Dallas Wings Hit With Another Azzi Fudd Setback Early in Season
Ahead of the Wings’ home opener against the Atlanta Dream, Fudd was ruled out of the game after appearing on the injury report.
While she was listed as probable with a right knee issue initially, reports suggest Fudd participated in the team’s shootaround earlier in the day and was seen doing skill work alongside the guards, which made it seem like she was still on track to play. But then, just around two hours before tipoff, the Wings officially updated her status as ‘OUT.’
The good news is, coach Fernandez has made it clear that Dallas is prioritizing the bigger picture with their rookie guard, and her absence is not something to worry about.
“Out of an abundance of caution and for her long-term health, we’re keeping her out tonight,” Fernandez explained before the game against Atlanta
However, the Wings coach avoided going too deep into the medical details. “She’s a big part of this team. There’s a reason why we drafted her number one, and she’s going to have a great season for the Dallas Wings,” he added.
The franchise’s cautious approach becomes easier to understand once you look at the timeline Azzi Fudd has been navigating over the last few years. Fudd has already dealt with multiple serious knee injuries during her basketball journey. Back in 2019, she tore both her ACL and MCL in her right knee while playing for Team USA. Then in 2023, she suffered another ACL tear in that same knee.
Without her available, Dallas eventually went on to suffer its first loss of the regular season as the Dream spoiled the Wings’ home opener with a 77-72 victory. And sure, there will always be fans wondering whether her shooting and spacing could have changed the outcome had she been available. But right now, the bigger priority for Dallas clearly is not rushing one of the franchise’s most valuable long-term pieces back onto the floor too quickly. The Wings know exactly how important Azzi Fudd can become for this team, which is why protecting her health early in the season may matter far more than any single game.
