Paige Bueckers receives tough news after Azzi Fudd is ruled out for the rest of the season

The Dallas Wings are currently confronting hard questions about whether passing on Olivia Miles with the top selection in this year's draft was a mistake, especially given that Miles is not only a lock for Rookie of the Year but also firmly entrenched in the MVP conversation alongside A'ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark .

The Wings opted to take Azzi Fudd first overall. While Fudd is a remarkably gifted player, the selection was heavily influenced by her chemistry with Paige Bueckers , the number one pick and Rookie of the Year last season, with whom she captured a National Championship at UConn in 2025 and shares a close personal bond dating back to their college days.

Azzi Fudd Ruled Out for the Season

The decision not to draft Miles looks even more difficult now, as the franchise announced that Azzi Fudd will miss the rest of the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on her right knee.

The procedure, designed to address persistent soreness in the joint, is scheduled for early next week in Connecticut. The UConn product first experienced right knee discomfort during warmups prior to the Wings' game against the Golden State Valkyries on August 7.

Although Dallas initially held her out of that matchup out of an abundance of caution, she missed the subsequent five games before the team officially confirmed the season-ending procedure.

During an impressive debut campaign, Fudd appeared in 30 games, averaging 13.1 points, 1.8 assists, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.7 steals (ranking fifth-best in the league in steals).

A Familiar Injury Battle and a Major Blow to Dallas' Playoff Push

With Fudd sidelined for the duration, this marks the first time since 2021 that the first overall pick will not capture the Rookie of the Year award, following a run by Rhyne Howard , Aliyah Boston , Caitlin Clark , and Paige Bueckers over the past four seasons.

For the Wings, the absolute priority is ensuring Fudd makes a full recovery for the future, as the 23-year-old remains a cornerstone of the franchise alongside Bueckers.

Unfortunately, knee injuries have repeatedly interrupted her career path: she previously tore her right ACL and medial meniscus during college, causing her to miss the bulk of the 2023-24 season, and also suffered severe ACL and MCL tears in her right knee back in April 2019.