Wings face Fever as Azzi Fudd lands on SEI list

Houston’s Kat Rader made her case for Rookie of the Year with a big midweek brace.

Wings face Fever as Azzi Fudd lands on SEI list

No. 8 Dallas has lost its rising star, as the Wings prepare to host No. 3 Indiana tonight after ruling No. 1 draft pick Azzi Fudd out for the season with a knee injury.

• Sidelined since early August, Fudd will undergo an arthroscopic procedure to combat soreness, leaving her unable to rejoin Dallas’s 2026 campaign.

• “I know exactly what comes next: rehab, put in the work, come back ready and better than before,” Fudd — who tore the same knee’s ACL and MCL twice before — wrote on Instagram, as fans voiced workload concerns for rookies coming off deep NCAA tournament runs. (See full post)

Taking stock: While the Wings have made strides in the win column compared to last year, they’ve struggled down the stretch — unlike the skyrocketing Fever.

• Indiana’s late-season push relies on its league-best offense, averaging 96.4 points per game behind guards Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark.

• The Fever can clinch a third consecutive postseason berth with a win over Dallas, joining No. 1 Minnesota, No. 2 Golden State, and No. 4 Las Vegas in the WNBA playoffs. (See magic numbers)

Tune in: Indiana visits Dallas tonight at 8 PM ET (Prime).

Nneka Ogwumike announces retirement

15-year WNBA vet Nneka Ogwumike is hanging it up, as the LA Sparks forward and WNBPA president announced she’ll retire from basketball at the end of 2026.

• The 11-time All-Star exits with the 2016 WNBA title and MVP award, 2012 Rookie of the Year award, and four Defensive First Team nods, after playing 13 of her 15 seasons — including her final — in Los Angeles.

• “I’ve learned there’s power in knowing when to walk away,” Ogwumike told Boardroom’s Taylor Rooks. “For so long, that strength meant finding a way to keep pushing. Now, it means recognizing when you feel complete.” (Watch full interview)

Big impact: An undisputed legend on the court, Ogwumike’s legacy has also been shaped by the two CBAs she negotiated during her 10-year players union tenure.

• She was instrumental in achieving the single largest salary increase in pro sports history earlier this year, while also expanding benefits and resources.

• “Her leadership has been extraordinary,” said WNBPA Executive Director Terri Jackson. “She has served this union with a level of commitment, courage, integrity, and purpose that is truly unparalleled.” (See full report)

UConn docuseries profiles 2025 NCAA champions

Apple TV is documenting a dynasty, as The Dynasty: UConn Huskies takes fans behind the scenes of women’s college basketball’s winningest program.

• Premiering tomorrow, the three-part series chronicles 40 years of NCAA dominance, with interviews with former stars like Maya Moore, Sue Bird, and Paige Bueckers.

• Directors Matthew Hamachek, and Erica Sashin also gained exclusive access to the team’s 2025 campaign — including its 12th NCAA title win. (Watch full trailer)

Big screen: Interpersonal relationships take center stage throughout the series, including Bueckers’s sometimes contentious bond with longtime head coach Geno Auriemma and her off-court dynamic with fellow Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd.

• Auriemma leaned hard on Bueckers after a midseason loss to Tennessee, gambling on the senior’s leadership skills to bring home the championship.

• “I took a risk and I said, ‘She’s either going to quit or she’s going to change,‘” Auriemma explained. “So I tried to hurt her like losing hurts.”

Tune in: The Dynasty: UConn Huskies premieres Friday on Apple TV.

LPGA tees off at CPKC Women’s Open

The LPGA Tour is headed north, as the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open takes over Edmonton, Alberta’s Royal Mayfair Golf Club today — with $2.75 million up for grabs.

• Reigning champion and Canada international Brooke Henderson will try to become just the second player in tournament history to win three titles.

• “I’ve been able to really use the energy and the atmosphere of all the fans,” said the world No. 11. “There is so much love and so much positive energy.”

Scouting report: Henderson has her work cut out for her, as 14 of the LPGA’s Top 25 gear up to hit the course including No. 1 Nelly Korda and No. 4 Hyo Joo Kim.

• Highly touted amateur Kiara Romero is set to make her pro debut, after winning back-to-back Mark H. McCormack Medals.

• “At the end of the day it’s just great for the Tour, great for the fans to have new and upcoming amazing talent,” Korda said. (See full field)

Tune in: CPKC Women’s Open coverage runs through Sunday (Golf Channel).

MLV drops 2027 schedule & format changes

Major League Volleyball is making moves, as the league announced plans to adopt a two conference alignment ahead of next year’s expanded 12-team season.

• Atlanta, Columbus, DC, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, and Orlando make up the Eastern Conference, while Dallas, Los Angeles, Minnesota, Northern California, Omaha, and Las Vegas fuel the Western.

• “Expanding into these incredible sports markets allows us to create genuine rivalries, energize an exciting postseason race, and provide fans with the best volleyball in the country,” said Commissioner Jaime Weston. (See full release)

Stay tuned: Each team will play 26 games — 22 cross-conference matchups plus four against teams in the same conference — with the full 2027 calendar and postseason format expected in the coming months. (Get updates)

Quote of the day

NWSL side Bay FC
speaking out against new San Jose Earthquakes hire Gavin Wilkinson, after the 2022 Yates Report exposed the ex-Portland Thorns president’s involvement in systemic verbal, emotional, and sexual abuse.