US Trends

when did juju watkins tear her acl

JuJu Watkins tore her ACL on March 24, 2025, during USC’s second-round NCAA Tournament game against Mississippi State.

Quick Scoop: When Did JuJu Watkins Tear Her ACL?

The Exact Date and Game

  • JuJu Watkins’ ACL tear happened on March 24, 2025.
  • It occurred in the second round of the 2025 women’s NCAA Tournament , in USC’s game vs. Mississippi State.
  • The injury came just a few minutes into the game, during a fast-break drive to the basket when her right knee buckled after contact.

So if you’re searching “when did JuJu Watkins tear her ACL,” the key answer is: March 24, 2025, in the second round of March Madness vs. Mississippi State.

What Happened That Night?

  • USC was in control of the game and went on to win 96–59, but the storyline quickly shifted to her injury.
  • She was carried off the court after grabbing at her right knee and staying down in clear pain.
  • Initial concern on the broadcast turned into confirmed bad news after imaging showed a torn ACL in her right knee , ending her tournament and season.

Many outlets described the arena going almost silent as fans realized how serious the injury was.

Latest News and Longer-Term Impact

  • Reports later confirmed that the ACL tear would sideline her for the entire 2025–26 college season while she focused on surgery and rehab.
  • A typical ACL recovery timeline of about 12 months was mentioned, putting a realistic return closer to the 2026–27 season.
  • Despite the injury, she has remained a central figure in women’s basketball discussions, with media covering her rehab mindset and potential Team USA future.

Forum / Trending Context

On forums and social media, the “when did JuJu Watkins tear her ACL” question usually comes up in a few contexts:

  1. Timeline debates
    Fans try to line up her injury with other big women’s hoops storylines, like the tournament bracket and player-of-the-year races.
  1. What-if conversations
    People speculate how the 2025 title race might have looked if she hadn’t gone down in the second round, since USC was viewed as a serious contender.
  1. Recovery optimism
    More recent pieces highlight her rehab progress and decisions to prioritize long-term health over rushing back, which many fans praise as smart for her pro future.

TL;DR: JuJu Watkins tore her right ACL on March 24, 2025 , in USC’s second-round NCAA Tournament game vs. Mississippi State , ending her season and ultimately keeping her out for the 2025–26 campaign.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.