The Dallas Wings provided an update on No. 1 pick Azzi Fudd’s injury ahead of their clash against the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday night. Fudd missed the last game against the Atlanta Dream due to a knee injury despite being listed as probable. She had a 75% chance to play, but was ruled out hours before tipoff.
Ahead of Thursday’s clash, the Wings have listed her as questionable, giving her a 50% chance of suiting up. Fudd will likely be a game-time decision. Her chances of playing remain uncertain. If she is ruled out, she will miss two of her first three games as a pro.
In her only game so far on opening day against the Indiana Fever, the No. 1 pick played 18 minutes off the bench. Fudd scored three points, the fewest by a top pick in the history of the league in a debut game. It seems Fudd’s injury could be more significant than initially thought. The Wings will hope that isn’t the case as they continue facing massive scrutiny for using the No. 1 pick on Fudd.
A prolonged absence will only fuel criticism and put pressure on Azzi Fudd when she’s ready to return.
Former WNBA player dishes honest thoughts on Azzi Fudd’s injury struggles
Former WNBA player Chamique Holdsclaw weighed in on Azzi Fudd’s right knee injury on Wednesday’s USA Network halftime show. Holdsclaw compared it to her injury, adding that she was “nervous” for Fudd, as her injured right knee has been operated on three times. Here’s what the USA Network analyst said:
“Makes me a little nervous because knowing her right knee has been operated on three times. … During my career, I had three meniscus (tears). They went in two times, and for me, that arthritis set in. And we know coming into the league the intensity level just picks up a whole another notch. It’s not college basketball anymore so I hope that she gets the treatment that puts her in a better position and gets healthy because we need her out there on the court.”
The Dallas Wings suggested injury maintenance limited Azzi Fudd from playing her second WNBA game on Tuesday against the Dream. The Wings lost that contest 77-72 and could have used Fudd’s shooting. They were 4-for-26 from deep and struggled to find spacing on their offense.
