JuJu Watkins made her return from a torn ACL on Monday, playing her first official game in 588 days as No. 3 USC beat UNLV 100 to 68 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Watkins tore her ACL on March 24, 2025, in a second round NCAA Tournament game against Mississippi State. She missed the rest of that tournament and all of last season.

Why does her return matter so much? Watkins was the national player of the year during the 2024 to 2025 season, when USC went 31-4. Before the injury, she was one of the biggest draws in the sport. Her return puts USC right back in the national title conversation.

On Monday, USC looked like a team that had its leader back. The Trojans led 52-39 at halftime and pulled away in the third quarter. Watkins scored, rebounded and set up teammates as the lead grew.

The human side of this story is the long road back. A knee injury like hers means months of rehab away from the spotlight. Coach Lindsay Gottlieb has noticed the difference. "To me, she seems bouncier and stronger," Gottlieb told ESPN.

Watkins has also made it clear she is not running from expectations. "I pray that the pressure gets even higher because that's a privilege," she told ESPN.

For fans who discovered women's basketball through her freshman run, this is the moment they have been waiting for.

What's next: USC plays its home opener against Utah State on Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Galen Center. The game airs on Big Ten Network (BTN).