JuJu Watkins injury update
USC’s standout guard, JuJu Watkins, suffered a concerning right knee injury during the first quarter of the NCAA Tournament second-round game against Mississippi State on Monday night at the Galen Center in Los Angeles. The injury occurred with 4:43 remaining in the first quarter as Watkins drove to the basket on a fast break. After receiving contact from a Mississippi State defender, she lost possession of the ball and collapsed to the floor, immediately clutching her right knee in evident pain. The game officials reviewed the play for a possible flagrant foul but determined it was a common foul.
Teammates and training staff quickly rushed to Watkins’ side as she remained on the court, grimacing and holding her knee. The atmosphere in the Galen Center grew tense as fans watched the All-American sophomore being carried off the court by USC’s staff, unable to put weight on her right leg. At the time of her exit, Watkins had recorded three points, two assists, and one rebound.
USC announced at halftime that Watkins was being evaluated by the medical team and would not return for the remainder of the game. ESPN’s Holly Rowe later reported that Watkins left the Galen Center to undergo an MRI scan to assess the severity of the injury.
This injury comes just days after Watkins experienced minor injuries in USC’s first-round victory over UNC Greensboro. During that game, she fell on her left wrist and rolled her ankle but returned to the court, reassuring fans by stating, “I’m all right. Don’t worry.”
Watkins has been a pivotal player for the Trojans throughout the season. She was named the 2025 Big Ten Player of the Year and earned unanimous All-American honors for the second consecutive season. Prior to Monday night’s game, she averaged 24.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game.
The women’s basketball community has shown an outpouring of support for Watkins. The Big Ten Women’s Basketball official account tweeted, “Sending good vibes to JuJu Watkins ❤️,” while WNBA star Breanna Stewart simply posted, “🙏.” LSU’s Angel Reese also expressed her concern, tweeting, “Prayers for Juju!”
USC’s head coach, Lindsay Gottlieb, addressed the situation in a post-game press conference, stating, “JuJu is a fighter. We’ll support her through this and await further evaluations.” The Trojans managed to secure a commanding lead of 28-8 by the end of the first quarter, despite the emotional setback of losing their star player early in the game.
As the team awaits detailed medical evaluations, the focus remains on Watkins’ health and recovery. Her potential absence could significantly impact USC’s performance in the tournament, given her leadership and contributions on the court. Fans and teammates alike are hopeful for positive news regarding her condition in the coming days.
The Trojans, who reached the Elite Eight last season, face the possibility of meeting UConn again in this year’s regional final. Watkins’ health will undoubtedly be a critical factor in USC’s pursuit of a national championship.
As this is a developing story, updates will be provided as more information becomes available regarding JuJu Watkins’ condition and the implications for the USC women’s basketball team’s tournament journey.
