Just as it did at UConn, the Paige and Azzi Show is testing pretty well at the WNBA level.
Azzi Fudd, the top overall pick in this year’s WNBA Draft, earned her first-career start on Thursday, and she rewarded Dallas Wings head coach Jose Fernandez with 22 points as the Wings beat the defending champion Aces, 95-87.
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Fudd shot 9-for-15 from the field and 3 of 5 from 3-point range and was on the court for all but two minutes. It was her second straight 20-plus point performance, as she went for 24 in a road win over the Liberty on Sunday.
Paige Bueckers, who also played 38 minutes, scored 20 points, dished out six assists and came up with two blocks.
The Wings also got a jaw-dropping 22 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists from forward Jessica Shepard, as they improved to 5-3 on the season. Dallas won just 10 games all of last year, while the Aces went 30-14 and took home their third title in four years.
“Probably nobody believed that we’d have five wins right now and the type of wins that we’ve had,” Fernandez said postgame. “But I think everybody in that locker room and the staff believed it.”
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“Anytime I can step on the floor with this group, it’s an honor. I don’t take it lightly,” Fudd said. “To be on the floor, whether it’s coming off the bench, starting, I’m super grateful.”
The Wings have now beaten title contenders Indiana, New York and Las Vegas this season.
Which former UConn women’s stars are thriving so far in the WNBA this season?
