Wings fans can’t believe Azzi Fudd lineup decision vs. Fever

With the Dallas Wings taking on the Indiana Fever in the regular-season opener, the starting lineup for the team attracted a ton of opinions from the fanbase. As fans are excited to see the regular-season debut for Wings rookie Azzi Fudd, people had to wait a bit before watching her, as she was not in the starting lineup.

Dallas would end up starting Paige Bueckers, Odyssey Sims, Arike Ogunbowale, Alanna Smith, and Jessica Shepard, leaving Fudd to come off the bench.

First 5⃣ for our debut!@cvspharmacy | #WingsUp pic.twitter.com/VWFK9wg6xj

— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) May 9, 2026

Let’s just say that some fans were not pleased to see the No. 1 overall pick not starting, with one X, formerly Twitter, user named “@ally_oopster00” thinking the decision is a joke.

“This is a joke, right? Why is Sims starting when she was signed to be a backup? You drafted Azzi number one. You start her with Paige and Arike. This is a choice, and it’s the wrong one,” the user wrote.

Another account in “@ilonacecilia35” would even say it was “weird” that Fudd didn’t start.

“Not starting Azzi in her first WNBA game is weird… why would you not start the number 1 pick?” the user wrote.

Some defend the decision of Wings not to start Azzu Fudd

The comment section of the Wings’ starting lineup announcement wasn’t just negative; in fact, there were some accounts targeting the ones who had an issue with Fudd not starting. Such as “@Ruben_A_Ibarra,” who defended Sims starting over the talented rookie.

“I don’t know if people actually remember that Odyssey Sims almost single-handedly took the Fever to the Finals last season. That’s why she’s starting…That’s just what it’s gonna be, no matter how you feel about her,” the user wrote.

Another user in “@lei_55577” would even call fans of Fudd “dramatic” about the decision, saying how normal it is for a rookie to not start their first game.

“Her coming off the bench isn’t the end of the world; it’s actually smart. Stop being dense and think…Y’all put too much into her being the number 1 pick,” the user wrote.

You Azzi Stan’s are being sooo dramatic her coming off the bench isn’t the end of the world it’s actually smart. Stop being dense and think for a min lord have mercy. Yall put too much into her being the number 1 pick and coming off the bench it’s never that srs pic.twitter.com/sjX8xgVvgN

— Lei (@lei_55577) May 9, 2026

It remains to be seen when or if Fudd starts for Dallas.

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