Basketball is a game of triumphs and heartbreaks, and for USC superstar JuJu Watkins, Monday night’s second-round NCAA Tournament matchup delivered the latter.
The guard is known for her dominance on the court. However, she saw her season come to an abrupt end in the second round against Mississippi State after tearing her ACL.
Tensions Flare Postgame After JuJu Watkins Suffers Season-Ending Injury
Early in the first quarter, with just under five minutes remaining, Watkins was leading a fast break when she collided with Mississippi State’s Destiney McPhaul. The contact sent Watkins tumbling to the floor.
However, as she attempted to get up, it became immediately clear that something was wrong. She was unable to put any weight on her right leg and had to be carried off the court. The scene was heartbreaking, with the typically unstoppable Watkins wincing in pain, an image that quickly went viral on social media.
Following the game, tensions flared in the postgame handshake line when opposing players were caught exchanging words.
Ben Golliver captured the moment on X, posting a video of the situation.
“Words are exchanged between USC and Mississippi State during handshake line following USC’s win, which saw JuJu Watkins injured,” he captioned the post.
Words are exchanged between USC and Mississippi State during handshake line following USC’s win which saw JuJu Watkins injured pic.twitter.com/52otJrJk8c
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) March 25, 2025
Following the game and postgame situation, the team released a statement declaring that Watkins had suffered a season-ending knee injury and would require surgery. ESPN’s Shams Charania later reported that the injury was a torn ACL.
Before her injury, Watkins had been one of the most dominant players in college basketball. She was named the 2025 Big Ten Player of the Year and a unanimous All-American for the second straight season. Entering Monday night’s game, she had been averaging 24.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game.
“She’s a key piece for us. But we don’t want to let her down, we don’t want to let all of our fans down,” said USC forward Kiki Iriafen, who stepped up in Watkins’ absence with a team-high 36 points.
“Just keeping our foot on the gas, trusting everything our coaches have for us, and knowing we’re more than capable to win this game,” she continued.
Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb addressed the situation in an interview during the game, offering reassurance that Watkins was receiving the best possible care.
“She’s getting seen by our great medical team. And just that we have a group and a fanbase and a team that’s going to have her back no matter what. She gives this community and all of us so much, so we’ve got her back, no matter what it is.”
Who Will Step Up in Watkins’ Absence?
With Watkins out for the remainder of the tournament, the Trojans must find a way to fill the massive void left by their superstar. The most likely candidate to step up is Talia von Oelhoffen. She was a graduate transfer from Oregon State with extensive experience running an offense. She will likely take on more responsibility in directing USC’s attack.
Another key player to watch is freshman Kennedy Smith, who has already cemented herself as a crucial two-way presence for the Trojans. Additionally, Watkins’ backup, Malia Samuels, is expected to see increased minutes and a larger role in the backcourt.
MORE ON WATKIN’S SEASON-ENDING INJURY: Star USC Guard Juju Watkins Tears ACL in Second-Round NCAA Tournament Game
Despite losing their best player, USC still has the firepower to make a deep run. Their lineup remains strong with standout forwards Kiki Iriafen and Rayah Marshall. However, Watkins’ absence raises major questions about the team’s ability to sustain offensive consistency against elite competition.
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