USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb stated in a recent press conference that JuJu Watkins’ ACL injury was not caused by any foul play during a game. She expressed solidarity with Mississippi State players who faced online harassment following the injury occurrence, which transpired during the Trojans’ clash with the Bulldogs in the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament.

“There was nothing to me that looked like it had any intent to hurt her. … I mean, that’s not a USC view at all,” Gottlieb remarked. “It was a physical game. … No one deserves online bullying in any realm, but certainly not a young woman in Chandler Prater, who was trying to make a play, and unfortunately our player got hurt.”
“There was nothing that indicated malice; we were all taken by surprise by how it turned out.”

The incident occurred not long after the game commenced, resulting in Watkins being carried off the court and ultimately diagnosed with a torn ACL, sidelining her for the season. Following the match, tensions escalated, with some altercations happening during the post-game handshake line.

Purcell commented, “We don’t play to hurt, we play to compete and unfortunately, that situation arose as a part of the game.” He insisted that players should not face any online harassment due to unfortunate sports incidents.

Gottlieb reiterated that players, especially young women like Watkins, should not be subjected to such negativity.

The Trojans are preparing to face Kansas State in the upcoming Sweet 16, with sound strategies needed to compensate for losing Watkins’ key offensive role.