Juju Watkins suffers torn ACL as USC advances to Sweet Sixteen
LOS ANGELES – The USC Trojans advanced to the Sweet Sixteen after defeating the Mississippi State Bulldogs with a score of 96-59. Unfortunately, Juju Watkins left the game in the first quarter due to a torn ACL, which ended her season immediately. This injury left 7,808 fans at the Galen Center feeling devastated on Monday night.
Although the Trojans advanced, their hopes of winning a National Championship faded after Watkins' injury. Five minutes into the game, Watkins was attacking the basket when she fell to the ground in pain, holding her right knee.
Watkins is the heart and soul of the USC Trojans and the city of Los Angeles, where she grew up while attending Sierra Canyon High School. Her evolution in the game has taken women’s basketball to a whole new level, and her absence could significantly impact the USC program in the future.
The Trojans started the game with a 9-0 run, igniting excitement in the Galen Center until one of their players fell to the floor, clutching her knee. Watkins remained on the floor for several minutes while trainers attended to her and ultimately helped her off the court. She was then wheeled out of the Galen Center to be taken to a Keck Medicine facility, as there is no MRI machine available at the Galen Center.
https://www.thesportingtribune.com/2025/03/24/juju-watkins-tournament-run-might-be-over-as-usc-advances-to-sweet-16