Azzi Fudd is right on track after a shaky start to her WNBA season. The 2026 No. 1 draft pick has well and truly announced herself on the biggest stage. Her rookie season started slowly, but she is now going at double speed. There were questions asked of Dallas Wings coach Jose Fernandez about a starting spot for Fudd. He answered back by saying that Fudd had to earn that position.
She has already started to break WNBA records. In the Wings’ game against the New York Liberty on Sunday, Fudd came off the bench and played 32 minutes. She became the first rookie in franchise history to hit six 3-pointers. Five of those came in the third quarter, the most in a single quarter by a rookie. Fudd also scored 17 points in the third quarter, making her the rookie with the most points in a single quarter in WNBA history.
On the back of breaking several records in one game, Azzi Fudd earned her first WNBA start against the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday, and she broke another record.
Azzi Fudd is now the first drafted rookie and second rookie, joining Pauline Astier, to have multiple games with 20+ points this season.
In the Dallas Wings’ comeback victory against A’ja Wilson’s Aces, Azzi Fudd had 22 points, three rebounds and two assists in 37 minutes. She went 9 of 15 from the field and 3 of 5 from 3. Jessica Shepard was the standout player in Dallas’ 95-87 win over Las Vegas.
Jessica Shepard’s record-breaking night inspires Dallas Wings’ comeback win
Jessica Shepard outshone everyone on the court on Thursday. A’ja Wilson, who is rarely the less dominant player, got beaten at her own game by the Dallas Wings’ forward. Shepard outplayed Wilson and the Aces with an outstanding triple-double performance. This was the third triple-double of her career and the second of this season.
She became the second player to have 20+ points, 20+ rebounds and 10+ assists in a single game. Against the Aces, Shepard scored 22 points, with 20 rebounds and 10 assists. The only player to have achieved a similar stat line was Alyssa Thomas when she had 21 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists against the Minnesota Lynx in 2023.
With Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd clicking and Shepard playing like that, the Wings might just become a huge title contender. They will next take on the Seattle Storm on Monday.
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Jessica Shepard’s Record-Setting Stats vs A’ja Wilson and Aces Have WNBA World On Its Feet
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