What did Dallas Wings head coach Jose Fernandez say about Azzi Fudd’s injury?
After a start that generated lots of conversation around the WNBA, Dallas Wings No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd will miss her team’s home opener on Tuesday against the Atlanta Dreams with a right knee injury.
Wings head coach Jose Fernandez refused to say if Fudd had been previously injured, did not specify how concerned about the injury the team is and did not want to say whether Fudd’s low-minute total the season’s first game stemmed from the injury.
“I’m not gonna get into the minutes’ situation on opening night. Out of abundance of caution for her long-term health we’re keeping her out tonight,” said Fernandez on Tuesday.
Fernandez was combative when asked if there was any long-term concern about the injury.
“I’m not gonna discuss anything medically in regards to her, or what she has done in practice or what she hasn’t done in practice. She’s a big part of this team, there’s a reason we drafted her No. 1, and she’s gonna have a great season for the Wings,” said Fernandez.
“It’s not that I don’t wanna answer. I’ve been doing this a very, very long time, and I’ve been very, very good with media. What I’m willing to share and what you guys want me to share might be totally different. What I can share and what I can’t share is different as well.”
Fernandez did talk about how disappointing it would be for Fudd to miss the home opener.
“The most important thing for her, like I said 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,” said Fernandez.
Fudd has previously injured her knee. She tore her ACL and MCL in 2019 before she was at UConn. In 2022 while at UConn she missed 22 games with another knee injury. And in 2023 she tore her ACL and medial meniscus in her right knee once again.
With that said, the Wings will most likely proceed with an abundance of caution and focus on the rookie’s long-term success.
It’s unknown how much time Fudd will miss or if she’ll play in the team’s next game against the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday.
This story was originally published May 12, 2026 at 6:16 PM.
