JuJu Watkins' Season-Ending Knee Injury Impacts Women's NCAA Tournament

Southern California’s star sophomore, JuJu Watkins, suffered a season-ending right knee injury on March 24, 2025, during the NCAA Tournament game against Mississippi State. In the collision with Bulldogs’ senior guard Chandler Prater, Watkins injured her knee, later confirmed as a torn ACL, and was carried off the court by team medical staff. Her injury not only forced her to exit the game early but also left a noticeable void on the court.

The injury has had broader implications for the tournament overall. Analysts and coaches like Dawn Staley, Rebecca Lobo, and USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb expressed deep disappointment over the loss of a key player who had been central to the team’s success and the tournament’s excitement. With Watkins sidelined, USC has had to adjust quickly, and the loss has been reflected in diminished crowd attendance and lower TV viewership numbers as the tournament continues into the Sweet 16 stage on March 25, 2025.