The 2026 regular season opener between the Dallas Wings and the Indiana Fever gave fans everything they hoped for. But despite Dallas escaping with a 107-104 win, the biggest talking point after the game surprisingly had nothing to do with who led the team to victory or who played best. As all eyes were on rookie sensation Azzi Fudd after she came off the bench in her WNBA debut. This left many fans wondering if earning a starting role could now take a little longer than originally expected.
Even after Fudd’s quiet debut, where she finished the game with just three points and one rebound in 18 minutes, Dallas Wings head coach Jose Fernandez made one thing very clear – he still fully believes in the rookie’s long-term future with the franchise.
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“I don’t think about it that way. Is she capable of doing that? Yes, she is,” he said. “When it does happen, I think she’ll be ready.”
While Fudd’s performance became the fewest points ever scored by a No. 1 pick in a regular-season debut, Fernandez refused to add any more fuel to the fire.
“The other thing, when she gets in, and she’s a shooter, I gotta get her more involved, get her some looks, but you got to give other teams credit too. Other teams prepare for really good players,” the Wings coach added while admitting Dallas needs to do a better job of helping Azzi Fudd find quality scoring opportunities once she enters the game.
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That comment probably says everything fans need to know about how this team is approaching the development of their young star moving forward. And while many expected Fudd to instantly step into a starring role alongside her former UConn teammate Paige Bueckers, Fernandez also revealed why Dallas decided to take a different approach in the season opener.
Why Did Azzi Fudd Come Off the Bench?
Ever since Dallas selected Fudd with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, fans imagined her immediately becoming part of the Wings’ starting lineup. So when Dallas announced its opening five without Fudd’s name, many were left confused.
However, the coach recently explained that the decision had more to do with experience and roster balance than anything else.
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“I think she took it fine. Her and I, I don’t need to go into conversations on what’s said or what happens in practice. Our players knew three days before who our starting lineup was,” Fernandez explained during his recent media availability.
The coach also pointed toward the strong preseason performances from Aziaha James and Maddy Siegrist, who were also left out of the starting lineup despite impressive exhibition numbers. James averaged 17.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game while coming off the bench in both preseason matchups, while Siegrist averaged 16 points and eight rebounds as a starter.
“It’s just a credit to the team and the makeup of our team right now and my decision to go up to Indiana and play a veteran group,” he further added.
And honestly, the move worked perfectly for Dallas. Instead of starting the rookie guard, Fernandez trusted a veteran-heavy lineup featuring Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale, Odyssey Sims, Jessica Shepard, and Alanna Smith. While the decision to start Sims over Fudd raised many eyebrows, the veteran guard delivered 20 points and provided the exact stability Dallas needed in the high-pressure season opener.
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The Wings also looked far more balanced offensively with multiple ball handlers on the floor, which helped reduce the pressure on Bueckers throughout the game.
“I thought she did well, scored 20 points, and did a very good job defensively. For me, I want to save Paige’s legs down the stretch in the 4th quarter. The more I can play her off the ball, we know she’s going to get trapped at the point guard spot in so many pick and roll situations,” Fernandez added.
“When Paige Bueckers is at the point guard spot, what other teams do is pick her up 94 feet and try to wear her out for 60 of it. So I mean for right now that’s our lineup, and that’s what I’m gonna go with.”
But as Dallas continues easing her into the rotation, another concern has now entered the conversation ahead of the Wings’ next matchup.
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Trouble Brewing Already?
With one win in their bag, the Wings are all set to take on the Atlanta Dream in less than 24 hours. However, there is an unfortunate update for the fans.
Fudd has landed on the injury report. The 5-foot-11 star is currently listed as a game-time decision because of a right knee issue.
While there is currently no indication of a serious setback, this update has immediately raised concerns given Fudd’s injury history dating back to college. Still, this definitely puts even more attention on her heading into Dallas’ next game. After already drawing headlines for coming off the bench in her WNBA debut, the rookie now finds herself dealing with injury concerns just days into the regular season.
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But despite the slow debut and this latest concern, the organization still fully believes Azzi Fudd can become a major piece of the franchise moving forward. Whether that breakthrough happens next game, next month, or later this season, Dallas clearly expects the No. 1 pick’s moment to come eventually.
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