Fudd replaced Odyssey Sims in the Dallas Wings’ starting lineup in Thursday’s game against the Las Vegas Aces, and she tied for a game-high 22 points in the Wings’ 95-87 victory over the defending champions. After a two-minute rest in the first quarter, the rookie didn’t sit for the remainder of the evening, and Dallas was plus-15 in her minutes.
“It’s an honor, and I don’t take it lightly,” Fudd said after the win. “To be on the floor, whether it’s coming off the bench or starting, (I’m) super grateful.”
The starting perimeter group of Sims, Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale had a net rating of minus-18 points per 100 possessions entering Thursday. Sub in Fudd for Sims, and the rating bumped to plus-20.9. The Wings saw the full effect of that change in their win over the New York Liberty on Sunday, when Fudd took Sims’ place to start the third quarter — and Awak Kuier came in for Alanna Smith — to spark a 16-point second-half turnaround.
That performance led to Fudd, the No. 1 draft pick this year, joining the starting five, and she responded with another efficient outing. She shot 9 of 15 from the field and made 3 of 5 3-pointers, adding two assists to zero turnovers. She was shot-ready whenever the ball came to her, including a rapid-release 3-pointer with 4:15 to play after Las Vegas had cut the lead to one possession. Fudd also had a step-back 3-pointer that sent Stephanie Talbot to the floor in the third quarter.
“She gets to her spots,” coach Jose Fernandez said. “She’s very confident in her shot, and her teammates find her, which they should, right?…. I like seeing her being so aggressive.”
Fudd’s emergence has come in concert with a playmaking surge from Jessica Shepard. The Wings wanted a point guard next to Bueckers and Ogunbowale in the starting lineup, which is what pushed Fudd to the bench, but the playmaking has instead come from Shepard at the five spot. Shepard has done a little bit of everything for Dallas. On Thursday, she became the second player in WNBA history to post at least 20 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists in a game, joining Alyssa Thomas.
Playing Fudd more often has improved the Wings’ defense because of her size (5-foot-11) compared to Sims (5-8). With 6-6 forward Kuier also getting more run at the expense of Smith and Maddy Siegrist, Dallas is deceptively long and athletic. The Aces couldn’t find openings through the defense and managed only 34 points in the second half. Fudd and Bueckers combined for three blocks, and Fudd added a steal.
The Wings are now 5-3 — a significant improvement from last season, when it took them until June 28 to earn as many victories.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Dallas Wings, WNBA
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