“I’m all right. Don’t worry.” That’s what JuJu Watkins told everyone just days ago after shaking off an ankle scare. At the time, it seemed like nothing. Now, looking back, was it a warning sign? In USC’s second-round game against Mississippi State, the Trojans’ worst fears became reality. Watkins, their star player, collapsed on the court, clutching her right knee. The footage captures Watkins sprinting one moment and collapsing the next, agony evident on her face.

Have you ever seen an entire arena hold its breath? That’s exactly what happened at the Galen Center.

So, what went wrong? Watkins was driving hard to the basket when her right knee buckled. She went down and didn’t get back up. The crowd fell silent. Teammates and USC’s medical staff quickly rushed to her side. And just like that, everything changed. At halftime, USC released an official statement: Watkins was being evaluated and wouldn’t return. Later, ESPN’s Holly Rowe reported she was wheeled out of the building for further testing.

Understandably, it was a huge upset for the fans and players alike. She received support and prayers from everyone concerned about her! This includes the basketball legend Magic Johnson, who soon took to Twitter to write, “Devastated to hear the news that Juju Watkins tore her ACL last night. I’m praying for a speedy recovery, but I know Juju is a competitor and will be back stronger and better!” His words shared his concerns for the young talent, and he, just like the others, is hoping for the better.

Despite Watkins’ early exit, the Trojans rallied to secure a 96-59 victory over Mississippi State, advancing to the Sweet 16. Meanwhile, in the second quarter, Maila Samuels also ended up injured. She took a nasty fall on a layup attempt, hitting her shoulder and head on the hardwood. Thankfully, things didn’t go from bad to worse, and she soon returned to the game from the locker room.

Is Juju Watkins facing an ACL Tear?

With just four minutes left in the first quarter, she made her move against two defenders, but her right knee buckled, and she went down hard.

It was the kind of moment that makes you hold your breath. The way her knee gave out looked painfully familiar, almost like a replay of Derrick Rose’s career-altering injury. Remember that? A routine drive, a sudden collapse, and a torn ACL changed everything. Dr. Sebastian Fearon put it bluntly: “Juju Watkins was carried off the court & did not even attempt to put any weight on the leg. The immediate fear & worst-case scenario is an ACL Tear.”

If that’s the case, what happens next? Recovery from an ACL tear can take a year or even longer! It’s a brutal process, both physically and mentally. Rose was never quite the same, but sports medicine has come a long way since then.

Could Watkins bounce back stronger? Absolutely. She’s young, determined, and still has time to rewrite her story. It won’t be easy, but even she can recover like Kevin Durant and Marina Mabrey to fight her way back. Will Watkins be the next comeback story? Only time will tell.