JuJu Watkins Downplays Injuries After USC's March Madness Win: 'Small Things'

USC star JuJu Watkins seemed unconcerned after getting banged up during the Trojans' 71-25 win over UNC Greensboro in the first round of the 2025 NCAA women's basketball tournament on Saturday.

When asked about hand and ankle injuries she appeared to suffer during the game, Watkins told reporters: "End of the season knickknacks. Small things, maintenance things. Regardless, nobody cares. I'll just continue to do what I do."

Despite missing some time in the second half after rolling her ankle, Watkins finished with a game-high 22 points on 8-of-17 shooting to go along with eight rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Starting during the first quarter, Watkins appeared to be favoring her left hand or wrist, although it didn't impact her play, as she scored 11 points in the first half:

Watkins was sporting a wrap on her hand after halftime, but she took the wrap off early in the third quarter, according to SI.com's Bryan Fischer.

Later in the third, Watkins seemed to roll her ankle while driving to the basket. She stayed in the game and made a three-pointer before briefly going to the locker room and then returning to the bench.

Although she could have sat out for the remainder of the game with USC leading by 37 after three quarters, she returned to the game in the fourth and made a basket to increase her scoring output to 22.

The sophomore guard has been a dominant force this season, averaging 24.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.5 steals, 2.2 steals and 1.9 blocks per game, thus making her a leading candidate for the Naismith Women's College Player of the Year Award.

She is also the biggest reason why USC earned a No. 1 seed in the tourney and is among the top contenders to win a national championship.

It became clear during Saturday's game that the Trojans can ill afford to be without Watkins, as only one other USC player scored in double figures against UNC Greensboro.

Also, USC shot only 37.5 percent as a team, which won't be good enough when the opponents get tougher for the remainder of the tournament.

Even though she may have been at less than 100 percent Saturday, Watkins still went 8-of-17 from the field and dominated the game at times, which may be a sign that she can fight through it and perform at a high level moving forward.

Watkins and the Trojans will be back in action for their second-round matchup Monday against either No. 8 California or No. 9 Mississippi State.