LOS ANGELES -- The moment transpired over less than a second. Look away and you might have missed it. JuJu Watkins was dribbling the ball downcourt, full steam ahead on a fast break, ready to make magic happen in one last USC home game this season. Everyone -- all 7,808 inside the Galen Center -- was watching.
Watkins wedged herself between two Mississippi State defenders, and, in a flash, her right knee appeared to give out underneath her. She crumpled to the ground and grabbed her right knee. Anticipatory cheers turned into worried murmurs, and soon the only sound became the squeak of sneakers as coaches and trainers jogged over to check on Watkins, who was in pain and in tears.