JuJu Watkins injury update: USC star carried off floor during first quarter vs. Mississippi State

USC star Juju Watkins suffered a leg injury during the first quarter of the Trojans’ second-round NCAA Tournament game against Mississippi State. Watkins held her knee while on the ground, and had to be carried off the court by athletic training staff.

Watkins was dribbling the ball between two Bulldogs defenders, and drew a foul as she went down. She left the game at the 4:43 minute mark of the first quarter as the Trojans led 13-2. Avery Howell entered the game for Watkins and shot the free throws in her place.

JUJU WATKINS NOOOOOOO

TAKE ME INSTEAD pic.twitter.com/lYl8eyJQ8j

— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) March 25, 2025

Despite Watkins’ departure, her squad outscored Mississippi State 15-5 in the final half of the quarter played without her on the court. Entering the second quarter, ESPN’s Holly Rowe provided a brief update on the Trojans’ mindset after losing their scoring leader.

“It’s been kind of a wild emotional roller coaster over here,” Rowe explained. “When the injury first happened, players came to the bench and kind of stunned and shocked and very upset. They had to quickly regroup. Lindsey Gottlieb took a big, deep breath to coach and then they got back to basketball. In that last timeout, they are just talking about Xs and Os but it is freshmen who are having to step up right now.

“Two true freshmen out on the court, they will have to be the people that bring them back. One other note, I have seen quite a few people leave the stands to go back and check on JuJu, including the athletic director Jen Cohen, other people who I assume are medical personnel and team doctors. I’ll keep you posted as soon as I know more.”

Watkins left having scored three points, which all came at the free throw line. She also logged two assists and a rebound, putting her fingerprints all over the matchup first the opening quarter. Instead of another classic performance from the USC star, she spent the rest of the first half in the locker room.

This injury came one game after Watkins rolled her ankle in the NCAA Tournament opener. She left the game and limped to the locker room, though she quickly returned to the game. Watkins finished with 22 points and eight rebounds in their opening round win.

While the Trojans appeared to have the game under control in the first half, USC will sorely miss her production down the stretch if she is unable to return. Of course, Watkins proved herself as one of the most dominant players in the women’s game, averaging 24.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per outing. She’s also connected on 42.5% of her shots from the field. Her status will continue to be updated throughout the matchup.