The Dallas Wings return home Wednesday night to face the Toronto Tempo in an interconference matchup, with the team looking to end a three-game slide.
Dallas has struggled to regain momentum since the WNBA All-Star break, managing just one victory in its last six games. The Wings will now hope home-court advantage can help them turn things around, although their injury situation could make that task more difficult.
Why isn’t Fudd playing tonight?
One of the biggest concerns is the continued absence of rookie Azzi Fudd. Dallas has ruled the No. 1 overall pick out of Wednesday’s game because of a right knee injury, marking her third consecutive missed contest.
The 23-year-old endured some early struggles during her first WNBA season, but the former UConn Huskies standout has established herself as one of the Wings’ most productive players.
Through 30 appearances, including 24 starts, she is averaging 13.1 points while shooting 45.6% from the field. She is also contributing 1.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.7 steals per game.
Is Fudd injured?
Fudd’s knee issue surfaced over the past week and has already affected her availability.
Before Dallas’ 94-76 defeat to Veronica Burton and the Golden State Valkyries on Friday, the rookie was ruled out after her right knee flared up unexpectedly during warmups. The injury also kept Fudd out of Sunday’s matchup against the Minnesota Lynx.
Although she has since returned to practice with Dallas, the Wings have determined that she is not yet ready to return to game action and will keep her sidelined against the Tempo.
Dallas injury list for Tempo’s game
Fudd is not the only player Dallas will be without Wednesday. The Wings have three additional names on their injury report, including Jessica Shepard.
Shepard has also been ruled out after sustaining a right ankle injury during Sunday’s loss to the Lynx. The absence will be her first of the season.
Costanza Verona is unavailable as well after Dallas temporarily suspended her contract on Saturday. Meanwhile, Alysha Clark remains questionable and could miss her fourth consecutive game because of a back injury.
Wings look to bounce back
Dallas enters Wednesday’s contest with a 19-14 record following Sunday’s road loss to Minnesota. Paige Bueckers was the standout performer for the Wings in that defeat, finishing with 23 points, four rebounds, eight assists and three steals.
Aziaha James also provided a spark off the bench, adding 19 points and six rebounds as Dallas came up short against the Lynx.
