Injury Details

During a second-round matchup in the women’s NCAA tournament, JuJu Watkins of USC was forced to leave the court just five minutes into the game against Mississippi State due to a troubling right knee injury. The incident occurred while Watkins was driving towards the basket and collided with defenders, resulting in her knee buckling as she landed.

The Galen Center crowd watched in concern as medical staff attending to Watkins carried her off the court after she was unable to get back on her feet. Reports confirm that she will not return to the game and is undergoing evaluation by the USC Keck Medicine medical team.

Game Performance Before Injury

Prior to her exit, Watkins had not made a shot, going 0-of-2, but had contributed three free throws, one rebound, and two assists. At the time of her injury, USC held a commanding lead of 28-8 over their opponents in the first quarter.

Watkins’ Season Highlights

Watkins, who is a contender for national player of the year and an Associated Press All-American, has had an impressive season, averaging 24.6 points, seven rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. She has played a pivotal role in leading USC to a 29-3 record this season, and the team secured a fourth No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

Prior Injuries and Prognosis

This injury is particularly concerning as Watkins had already experienced issues in the first round of the tournament, where she jammed her left hand and limped off the court after that game as well. Following that contest, she commented on her physical state, stating, “It’s the end of the season, body is a little banged up. On to the next. Nobody cares. I’m all good.”

Looking Ahead

Last season, the Trojans reached the Elite Eight, facing a loss against Paige Bueckers and UConn. There is potential for a rematch in this year’s regional finals if the two teams meet again, adding intrigue to Watkins’ health status as the tournament progresses.