When the Dallas Wings selected Azzi Fudd with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, expectations soared. But as the regular season tips off Saturday against the Indiana Fever, fans might do a double-take when they see the lineup.

Fudd, the former UConn star and top draft choice, won't be in the starting five. It's a rare move for a No. 1 pick—the last to debut off the bench was Kelsey Plum in 2017, and that decision worked out just fine.

Instead, the Wings are leaning on experience. Their starting backcourt features veterans Odyssey Sims and Arike Ogunbowale, alongside superstar guard Paige Bueckers. Fudd and Aziaha James are expected to be the top perimeter options coming off the bench.

While the team hasn't offered an official explanation, the reasoning seems clear: easing Fudd into the league while maximizing the talent on the floor. With Bueckers locked into a starting role and Ogunbowale healthy after an injury scare, the math simply worked out this way.

Fudd isn't a natural point guard, so when she checks in, expect her to play alongside either Sims or Bueckers. It's not a slight—just smart roster management from a Wings team stacked with guard depth.

Whether she starts or not, Fudd's impact in her rookie season could still be massive. And if history is any guide, coming off the bench early doesn't mean staying there for long.