Fans Question USC Star JuJu Watkins Remaining in Blowout After Injury Scare

JuJu Watkins suffering an apparent ankle tweak during USC's blowout win has some fans upset she was still playing in the first place.

Dec 10, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) dribbles the ball against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the second half at Galen Center. USC defeated Fresno State 89-40. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The No. 5 ranked USC Trojans improved to 10-1 on the 2024-25 regular season after a dominant 88-30 win over Elon University on Sunday.

Trojans superstar sophomore JuJu Watkins led the way in scoring for her team, finishing the game with 26 points on 7 of 18 shooting from the field while also adding 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks.

However, it was not all good vibes for Watkins and her fanbase Sunday, as she had to exit the game after appearing to roll her ankle while fighting for a rebound in the fourth quarter.

Here’s the injury itself. Looks like an ankle roll. pic.twitter.com/IMgJdJuMC3

— Katie Perez (@KTthePEREZident) December 15, 2024

Watkins ended up limping to the locker room and didn't return to the game. As of right now, there's currently no update on her status, but given the fact that USC was winning by 54 points when the injury scare occurred, some fans are upset that Watkins was still playing in the massive blowout and was therefore susceptible to potentially getting hurt.

"Why was Juju Watkins in the game in a 50 point blowout win? She got a minor injury that thankfully wasn’t much worse," X user Andy Froemel wrote.

Why was Juju Watkins in the game in a 50 point blowout win? She got a minor injury that thankfully wasn’t much worse. https://t.co/jDDFZ8Kkr1 pic.twitter.com/pM5m6u2AXk

— Andy froemel (@FroemelAndy) December 15, 2024

Another fan added, "This is why you sit your starters in a blowout but I really hope she’s good".

This is why you sit your starters in a blowout but I really hope she’s good https://t.co/1ICMCvRhML

— E (Aaliyah Edward’s arm sleeve) (@azzifuddisastud) December 15, 2024

"if juju is hurt because of this coaching malpractice," wrote a third.

if juju is hurt because of this coaching malpractice pic.twitter.com/j6OQw1fWoJ

— ru (@ruthieiguess) December 15, 2024

This isn't the first time Watkins has remained in the game during a blowout, as she played in the final few minutes of USC's 42-point win against Cal Baptist on December 3; which also raised eyebrows.

USC still has JuJu in up 50 with under 5 minutes.

— Robin Lundberg (@robinlundberg) December 4, 2024

The assumption from some is that Watkins and her head coach Lindsay Gottlieb are chasing the NCAA all-time scoring record that Caitlin Clark set last season (which Watkins is currently on pace to beat), hence why Watkins is still playing in the waning moments of these huge wins.

Regardless of the severity of Watkins' apparent ankle issue (initial sentiment is that it (hopefully) isn't too serious), perhaps Watkins going down will serve as a lesson for Gottlieb.