JuJu Watkins Carried Off Court After Suffering Ugly Injury vs. Mississippi State

The USC star guard did not return to the NCAA tournament game.

Watkins is looked after by trainers after being injured during Monday's women's NCAA tournament game. / Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

USC superstar JuJu Watkins suffered an injury during the first quarter of the Trojans' matchup with Mississippi State in the second round of the NCAA tournament on Monday night.

Watkins, one of the best players in the nation, had to be carried off the floor and could put no weight on her right leg. She appeared to be in considerable pain. The play came as she dribbled down the floor on a fast break and was bumped by Mississippi State's Destiney McPhaul.

Video of the injury is below.

Oh no JuJu's down

Hope she's alright 🙏 pic.twitter.com/ie3vagdG5k

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) March 25, 2025

Watkins was then carried from the court and could put no weight on her leg.

USC star JuJu Watkins is carried off the court after suffering an apparent right knee injury while being fouled on a transition play pic.twitter.com/ZIUXls0jl6

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) March 25, 2025

USC would later announce in a statement that Watkins was being further evaluated and would not return to the game.

JuJu Watkins is being evaluated by USC Keck Medicine staff and will not return to competition in tonight’s NCAA Second Round game.

— USC Women's Basketball (@USCWBB) March 25, 2025

Watkins was named the 2025 Big Ten Player of the Year and was named a unanimous All-American for the second season in a row. Entering Monday night's game, she was averaging 24.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.8 blocks in 34.8 minutes per game this season.

The No. 1 seeded Trojans led the No. 9 seeded Bulldogs 28-8 after the first quarter.

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