The WNBA preseason delivered early fireworks on Sunday night as Las Vegas Aces guard Chennedy Carter was ejected in the third quarter following a heated confrontation with Dallas Wings rookie Azzi Fudd during their matchup at the Michelob ULTRA Arena.
The incident occurred with 6:42 remaining in the third quarter and the Aces leading by eight points. What began as a routine defensive stand escalated rapidly when Carter, known for her tenacious and physical style of play, guarded the highly-touted Fudd on the wing. After Fudd drove past her for a contested layup, Carter appeared to deliver a hard shove to the rookie’s back, sending Fudd stumbling forward. Fudd responded by getting in Carter’s face, sparking a brief but intense exchange of words that drew both benches to their feet.
Officials quickly intervened, issuing Carter a technical foul and, after review, her second personal foul of the game, resulting in an automatic ejection under league rules for the altercation. Carter stormed off the court, visibly frustrated, as boos and cheers mixed throughout the arena. Fudd, who stayed in the game, showed composure beyond her years, calmly stepping to the free-throw line.
The 2025 first-round pick Fudd has impressed early in camp with her smooth shooting stroke and basketball IQ, while Carter has been a spark plug for the defending champion Aces. “That’s just basketball,” Fudd said postgame with a shrug. “She’s a great competitor. I respect it. We’re both trying to win.”
Aces head coach Becky Hammon expressed disappointment in the ejection but defended her player’s competitive fire. “Chennedy plays with passion. Sometimes that passion boils over. We’ll learn from it and move forward,” Hammon said.
The altercation overshadowed an otherwise competitive preseason contest, with both teams testing new lineups and young talent. Carter finished with 12 points and 4 assists in 18 minutes before her exit. Fudd contributed 9 points, including two three-pointers, in limited action.
League observers are already buzzing about the potential rivalry this matchup could spark when the regular season tips off. With stars like A’ja Wilson anchoring Las Vegas and a reloaded Dallas squad featuring emerging young weapons, this early clash may be a sign of intense battles to come.
Fans on social media were divided, with some praising Carter’s edge and others applauding Fudd’s poise. One thing is certain: the WNBA preseason just got a lot more entertaining.