“She Just Hit a Cartwheel in The Tunnel”: Wings Fans React to Azzi Fudd’s Sudden Injury Absence After Knee Issue Emerges in Warm-Up

August 8, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

Azzi Fudd - Image © Imagn Images

Azzi Fudd was a surprise absentee in Friday’s game between the Dallas Wings and Golden State Valkyries. Fudd wasn’t on the injury report and seemed poised to start. However, she developed a sore knee during warm-ups and the Wings ruled her out at the last minute.

Here’s what the Wings said:

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“Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd has been ruled out for tonight’s game against the Golden State Valkyries. Fudd went through warmups this evening and experienced right knee soreness. Out of an abundance of caution, she will not play tonight.”

The Wings round off a grueling stretch of six games in 12 days on Sunday against the Lynx. Fudd’s status for that contest is up in the air and will be disclosed before the matchup.

Shortly before her injury absence was announced, Fudd had performed a cartwheel while entering the arena. Given that she seemed in great spirits and was ready to play, Wings fans were concerned about her absence.

“She just hit a cartwheel in the tunnel tho,” one fan wrote.

More reactions followed.

Wings miss Azzi Fudd’s gravity and defense against Valkyries

The Dallas Wings sorely missed Azzi Fudd’s impact against the Golden State Valkyries. Fudd would have been their best defender against Gabby Williams or Veronica Burton. As many would have expected, the Valkyries backcourt had a field day as Dallas’ available perimeter defenders provided little to no resistance.

On offense, the Wings missed Fudd’s gravity. She’s shooting 39.7% from 3-point range this year. Fudd has contributed heavily to the Wings, at worst, being an average 3-point shooting team. They are eighth in the league in long-range efficiency at 34.3%. Dallas makes 8.3 3s per ger game, which ranks ninth. Fudd averages 2.1 of those 3-pointers.

The Wings lost 94-76. Burton tallied 22 points, four rebounds and seven assists, while Williams had 19 points and four assists. Paige Bueckers’ 17 points were the highest for any player on the Wings. Dallas shot 28.0% from 3-point range and had only eight assists on 21 made field goals.