USC's JuJu Watkins leaves tourney game with knee injury

Field Level Media|published: Mon 24th March, 23:57 2025

NCAA Womens Basketball: NCAA Tournament Second Round USC-Mississippi State

Mar 24, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) injures her knee in the first quarter of an NCAA Tournament second round game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Southern California standout forward JuJu Watkins left the No. 1-seeded Trojans' second-round matchup with Mississippi State in Los Angeles on Monday midway through the first quarter after falling to the floor on a breakaway.

Watkins, the nation's second-leading scorer at 24.6 points per game, grabbed her right knee and writhed in pain before trainers tended to her. She was helped off the court, avoiding putting weight on the injured leg. She had three points, two assists and one rebound before exiting.

"JuJu Watkins is being evaluated by USC Keck Medicine staff and will not return to competition in tonight's NCAA Second Round game," the university said in a statement released at halftime.

Watkins' Trojans teammate, Malia Samuels, also left Monday's game to be checked for a concussion after being hit in the head. She returned to the sidelines shortly thereafter.

--Field Level Media