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JuJu Watkins (left) and Caitlin Clark (right). Photo credits: Imagn images

Caitlin Clark Shows Support To JuJu Watkins’ Injury Recovery

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics
By Ernest Hernandez | Last updated Mar 31, 2025 7:29 AM ET

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark expressed her support for USC Trojans star player JuJu Watkins, who is currently recovering from an ACL injury she recently suffered from.

A new Instagram post by Gatorade showed support and encouragement for Watkins, and Catilin Clark echoed the sentiment via her own IG page.

Gatorade’s handle posted a photo of Watkins with the text art “setbacks only set the stage.”

Clark showed her support for the encouragement by sharing the post on her Instagram story.

Caitlin Clark Shows Support To JuJu Watkins' Injury Recovery 44 Screenshot via Hardwood Heroics

JuJu Watkins suffered a devastating ACL injury during the second round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. The incident occurred early in the first quarter of a game against Mississippi State, as Watkins was driving toward the basket. Medical staff rushed to her aid, and she was carried off the court, unable to put weight on her right leg.

Caitlin Clark Shows Support To JuJu Watkins' Injury Recovery 33 Mar 24, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lindsay Gottlieb talks to JuJu Watkins after the Trogans guard injured he knee in the first quarter of an NCAA Tournament second round game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

An MRI later confirmed that Watkins had torn her anterior cruciate ligament, ending her season prematurely.

The injury has not only impacted Watkins but also drastically altered the trajectory of USC’s season. As the team’s leading scorer and a key player, her absence leaves a significant void. Despite the setback, her teammates rallied to secure a commanding victory over Mississippi State.

Watkins is now preparing for surgery, which will mark the beginning of her recovery journey. The average recovery time for an ACL injury is approximately nine months, though some athletes have returned sooner with rigorous rehabilitation.

This Is A Dynasty Sep 25, 2024; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives to the basket defended by Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington (21) during the first half during game two of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

Is Caitlin Clark Joining The NFL?

Caitlin Clark has become a household name in women’s basketball. Is he about to become a huge name in football as well? According to a recent report by Front Ofice Sports, the WNBA star was invited by the NFL “to participate in a panel discussion on women’s sports and the league’s aspirations around flag football.”

“Flag football is a high priority of ours. It’s an opportunity for young women to participate in our game … and as we look forward, there definitely seems to be an appetite and interest in a professional flag league for both men and women,” NFL EVP Jeff Miller told Front Office Sports. “So it’s a continuation of the growth in women’s sports, and the role that the NFL can play in it.”

“We don’t get an opportunity to talk about this enough, just the explosion of women in sports,” said Troy Vincent, NFL EVP of football operations. “This is happening across the globe, and we want to continue that conversation among our membership.”

Caitlin Clark Shows Support To JuJu Watkins' Injury Recovery 15 Iowa’s Caitlin Clark (22) gives a thumbs-up to the crowd during senior recognition after playing Ohio State Sunday, March 3, 2024 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.

Serena Williams, Eli Manning, and Mellody Hobson will join Caitlin Clark in the meeting.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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