The highly anticipated matchup between JuJu Watkins and Paige Bueckers, which fans dreamed about on Selection Sunday, won’t happen Monday night.
While No. 1 seeded USC takes on No. 2 UConn at 9 p.m. in the Elite Eight from Spokane Arena in Spokane, Washington, the Trojans will be without Watson. The star sophomore suffered a season-ending knee injury on March 24 against Mississippi State in the women’s NCAA Tournament second round.
Watkins, a finalist for Naismith National Player of the Year, tore her anterior cruciate ligament and is out for the remainder of the 2025 tournament.
OPINION: Paige Bueckers’ big game a good thing for JuJu Watkins to see
Watkins had averaged 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game this season for the Trojans. USC earned a No. 1 seed after going 31-3 and winning the Big Ten regular season championship. In the conference tournament championship game, USC lost to its rival, UCLA, which advanced to the Bruins’ first Final Four with a win over LSU Sunday night.
FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA women’s basketball scores, schedules, teams and more.
Bueckers is coming off a 40-point performance in UConn’s victory over Oklahoma. Watkins had 29 points in an 80-73 Trojans loss to the Huskies last season in the Elite Eight, while Bueckers had 28 points.
Here’s the latest on Watkins’ injury status:
JuJu Watkins injury update
Just over five minutes into action of a second-round game against Mississippi State, Watkins became entangled with a Bulldogs’ defender on a fastbreak attempt. Immediately, Watkins fell on the floor and grabbed her knee in evident pain. The USC training staff aided Watkins on the floor, while the Galen Center in Los Angeles fell silent.
Watkins did not put any weight on her leg, as she was carried off the court.
What is JuJu Watkins’ injury?
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Watkins tore her ACL against Mississippi State. While USC announced Watkins had suffered a season-ending injury, the Trojans never announced the official prognosis. Watkins has yet to post about it on her socials.
According to aStanford study, the average time for an ACL recovery is nine months. However, some athletes can recover sooner.
JuJu Watkins stats at USC
Here’s a look at Watkins career stats at USC in her first two seasons:
- 2023-24: 27.1 points per game, 7.3 rebounds per game, 3.3 assists per game, 2.3 steals per game and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 40.1% from the field (31.9% 3-point shooting)
- 2024-25: 23.9 points per game, 6.8 rebounds per game, 3.4 assists per game, 2.2 steals per game and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 42.6% from the field (32.5% 3-point shooting)
