UPDATE: JUJU WATKINS RECEIVES SEASON-DEFINING INJURY NEWS
Emotions still running high after JuJu Watkins' knee injury, Trojans' head coach Lindsay Gottlieb provided her postgame thoughts on the USC superstar's condition.
"I don't have an updated on JuJu," Gottlieb said after the game. "I'm feeling a lot of emotions. The biggest one is pride."
Despite Watkins' departure, USC still rallied to defeat Mississippi State 96-59 at the Galen Center. Of course, all eyes have now turned to Watkins' condition.
JuJu Watkins was carried off the court and taken to the locker room after suffering an injury on this play. pic.twitter.com/zFgm8PkVnu
— ESPN (@espn) March 25, 2025
“This team rallied. They rallied for her. They rallied for each other," Gottlieb said.
“She is getting incredible care at Keck Medicine,” she continued.
The injury occurred midway through the first quarter of USC's blowout win. When Watkins led in transition, her right leg appeared to buckle.
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“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t rattled seeing JuJu lying on the floor, crying," Gottlieb said.
Watkins could not put weight on her leg and was carried off the court to the locker room.
The hoops community sending love to Juju Watkins after her injury 💜 pic.twitter.com/Sm2iOFhX57
— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) March 25, 2025
USC is now set to face fifth-seeded Kansas State. A more finite report on Watkins' status is expected to come from the team in the coming days.