The Liberty Fudded around and found out Sunday.
Azzi Fudd blitzed the Liberty in the third quarter en route to leading the Dallas Wings to a 91-76 win that spoiled Sabrina Ionescu’s season debut.
Fudd scored more points in the first 10 minutes after halftime than she had in an entire WNBA game up to this point.
After scoring only four points in the first half, Fudd dropped 17 in the third quarter, shooting 5-for-7 from beyond the arc.
After one of the 3-pointers, Fudd looked back at Breanna Stewart and smiled.
Fudd found her rhythm.
She looked invincible.
It felt like every time she put a shot up, it was bound to go in.
Fudd shattered her previous career-high 12 points — a mark she’s reached twice in the last week — with the 24 points she scored off the bench.
She drained six 3s total and recorded two rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks in a highly impactful 32 minutes.
There’s been a lot of discussion since draft night about the Wings taking Fudd over former TCU star Olivia Miles with the No. 1 overall pick.
The Lynx ultimately snatched up Miles with the No. 2 overall pick.
The season is young, but Miles is undoubtedly an early candidate for Rookie of the Year.
In six games, Miles is averaging 15 points, five rebounds and 5.5 assists while shooting 45.7 percent from the field.
Fudd didn’t ask to be the No. 1 overall pick.
She didn’t ask for the lofty expectations that come with it.
She does her best to tune out the exterior scrutiny that reverberates around her as she finds her footing in the WNBA.
But Fudd’s performance Sunday bolstered the Wings’ case for taking her with the top pick.
And Breanna Stewart tipped her cap to her fellow UConn alum.
“Azzi is an incredible player obviously,” Stewart said. “She was drafted No. 1 overall for a reason, but her shot and her release is so quick and so deadly, and I think that you know she’s more than a 3-point shooter, and people are going to start to see that as her game grows in the W.”
In a season full of firsts, Sunday was a special one for Fudd.
Seven games into the season, Fudd has played against a lot of stars who’ve inspired her playing career. Sunday was her first time squaring up against Stewart.
“Stewie is someone that I’ve looked up to, someone who you know I saw her banner every single day for the last five years,” Fudd said. “So to be on the court with her, it’s an honor.”
