ARLINGTON — When Azzi Fudd came off the bench in the Dallas Wings’ season-opening win over the Indiana Fever last weekend, fans and commentators questioned why the 2026 No.1 pick did not start.

Now bigger questions surround Fudd, who in 18 minutes vs. Indiana scored three points on just two shot attempts. 

Coming off a long college season that included a run to the Final Four, the UConn product tore her ACL and MCL in 2019 and tore her ACL and medial meniscus in 2023. Both injuries occurred in her right knee.

“I’m not going to get into the minutes situation on the opening night,” Fernandez said pregame. “Out of an abundance of caution and her long-term health, we’re keeping her out tonight.”

When another reporter pressed for more information, it started a somewhat tense exchange.

“I’m not going to discuss anything medically in regards to her or what she has done in practice, what she hasn’t done in practice,” Fernandez said. “She’s a big part of this team. There’s a reason why we drafted her No. 1 and she’s going to have a great season for the Wings.”

Fernandez said he and Fudd had a “very good” phone call on his way to the arena.

“ … It’s a long season. She just finished playing a long season and we have to put her in the best position to be successful,” Fernandez said.  

Paige Bueckers, the Wings’ No. 1 pick in 2025, also came off a long season that included a national championship at UConn before arriving to the WNBA.

She’s gone on record that she’s struggled with patellar tendinitis since high school, and the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year tore her ACL in August 2022, ahead of her junior season at UConn.

Bueckers said pregame Tuesday that she had to learn how to recover when she became a pro.

“I tried needling for the first time. I hate needles. But it helped my patellar tendon for sure,” Bueckers said. “ … It was my first year doing epsom salt baths. [Just] doing things to better recover.”

But she also missed some games last season for load management reasons. The Wings often rested Bueckers in times when they played back-to-backs.

While questions surround Fudd’s status, especially after her limited minutes in the season opener, the Wings could just be easing in their No. 1 pick, who has experienced repeated misfortune with her right knee.