The Dallas Wings passed their first major test since learning Azzi Fudd would miss the rest of the season, defeating Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever 91-85 on Thursday. Dallas delivered one of its best defensive performances of the season, holding Indiana to 85 points and limiting Clark to 10 points on 4-of-15 shooting. Awak Kuier also had a career night defensively, recording seven blocks to set a WNBA season high and a Wings franchise record.
The victory moved the Wings to 21-16, keeping them in eighth place and in the playoff race with seven regular-season games remaining. They will host the Seattle Storm on Sunday before facing the Portland Fire on Tuesday.
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Fudd’s absence leaves Dallas with a tough task down the stretch as the Wings are 2-5 without the 2026 No. 1 overall pick this season. However, their path to the postseason became easier after the Fire’s 82-79 loss to the Toronto Tempo on Friday.
Following Portland’s defeat, the Wings announced Saturday that they can clinch a playoff berth Tuesday with a win over Portland, regardless of Sunday’s result against Seattle.
With a playoff spot almost certainly secure, Dallas will try to climb the standings and secure a favorable seed while Fudd awaits surgery. Her procedure has been scheduled for early next week in Connecticut, and the Wings announced she would begin rehabilitation immediately afterward. The team has not provided a specific return timeline beyond ruling her out for the remainder of 2026.
Fudd averaged 13.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.73 steals over 30 games while shooting 39.7% from 3-point range. She also became the first rookie to win the WNBA 3-Point Contest. Dallas will rely on Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale, Kuier and the rest of its rotation to replace Fudd’s production the rest of the way.
