JuJu Watkins left USC’s second-round matchup against Mississippi State just five minutes into the game, writhing in pain on the floor after appearing to hurt her knee.
USC announced at halftime that Watkins was being evaluated and would not return for the second half. Her Trojans held a 50–27 lead at halftime.
The superstar guard, who had led USC to a No. 1 seed in her sophomore season, had to be carried off the court. A second-round win at home in Los Angeles would put USC in the Sweet 16, one game away from a potential regional final matchup with UConn and Paige Bueckers with a Final Four trip on the line.
Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb declined to comment—beyond confirming that Watkins would not return—in an on-air interview before second-half play resumed.
Holly Rowe reported on the ESPN broadcast that Watkins was wheeled out of the building for testing because USC’s home gym did not have an MRI machine on the premises.
After the game—a blowout USC win to advance to the Sweet 16—Gottlieb said no update was available on Watkins yet.
JuJu Watkins was carried off the court and taken to the locker room after suffering an injury on this play. pic.twitter.com/zFgm8PkVnu
— ESPN (@espn) March 25, 2025
This is a developing story and will be updated.
