The crowd sat in hushed disbelief, struggling to process a scene that seemed ripped straight out of their worst nightmares: USC’s superstar laying crumpled on the court, clutching her right knee, her cries rising to the rafters where she hoped a banner would soon hang.
JuJu Watkins, for the better part of two seasons, had felt nothing short of invincible, surpassing every sensible expectation with stunning grace for a sophomore, never wavering even as she bore the weight of an entire program on her back.
But now, at the start of the Trojans’ tournament run, Watkins bumped into Mississippi State’s Chandler Prater and her knee buckled beneath her. Right away, she fell to the court.
For several minutes, Watkins lay on the hardwood, surrounded first by teammates, then by USC trainers, all of whom could only watch as she writhed around in pain, clutching her knee, her eyes closed tight.
Unable to stand on her own, Watkins was scooped by trainers who carried her to the locker room. After Watkins left Galen Center to undergo an MRI scan, USC announced she sustained a season-ending injury that will require surgery.
Even as USC rallied in her absence, rolling to a 96-59 win over Mississippi State that secured a second straight Sweet 16 bid, Watkins’ injury cast a pall over the Galen Center.
USC star JuJu Watkins writhes in pain as he teammates stand above her during the first quarter Monday.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t rattled seeing JuJu lying on the floor, crying,” Gottlieb said.
When the game continued after Watkins’ injury, boos rained down whenever Mississippi State touched the ball. An already physical game got even more intense, as USC players made their discontent clear. When backup guard Malia Samuels was fouled hard under the basket, slamming her head on the court, the crowd erupted with dissatisfaction.
With Watkins out, the Trojans eventually pushed the gas pedal. Kiki Iriafen stepped into a starring role, pouring in a career-high 36 points on stunning 16-for-22 shooting.
But as USC waited for an update on Watkins, there was no ignoring the harsh reality that losing its star is a devastating blow to any hopes of a possible Final Four run.
That road continues nonetheless Saturday, when USC will face No. 5 seed Kansas State in Spokane, Wash.
