Powell, Zubac both score 26 as Clippers snap 3-game losing streak with 130-110 victory over Jazz

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac scored 26 points apiece, James Harden added 23 and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Utah Jazz 130-110 Saturday night to snap a three-game losing streak.

Zubac, who was 13 of 16 from the field, had a season-high in points as well as 15 rebounds. Harden dished out a season-high 17 assists.

Jordan Clarkson led the Jazz with 24 points, including 14 points in the first quarter. Keyonte George added 21 off the bench and Johnny Juzang had 19.

Utah got within 103-101 in the fourth quarter, before the Clippers outscored the Jazz 27-9 over the remaining seven minutes.

Jazz: Utah had a 13-point lead early in the second quarter, but squandered it and trailed 58-56 at halftime. Utah committed 20 turnovers which led to 24 Clippers points.

Clippers: Drew Eubanks, who was acquired from the Jazz on Feb. 1, left in the second quarter due to a left ankle sprain. Eubanks had four points in six minutes. MarJon Beauchamp, acquired from Milwaukee on Friday, saw his first action with the Clippers late in the fourth quarter and hit a 3-pointer.

The Jazz got within 103-101 on a 3-pointer by Clarkson before the Clippers went on a 15-2 run to pull away. Harden had five points and three assists during the run.

Utah was 8 of 18 on 3-pointers in the first quarter but 9 of 25 the remainder of the game.

The Jazz are at the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night while the Clippers host Memphis on Wednesday night.

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Los Angeles Clippers' Norman Powell (24) pressures Utah Jazz's Brice Sensabaugh (28) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers' Amir Coffey reacts after a play during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers' Ivica Zubac, right, looks to shoot under defense by Utah Jazz's Kyle Filipowski, left, and Svi Mykhailiuk, center, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers' Kawhi Leonard (2) looks to pass the ball under pressure by Utah Jazz's Johnny Juzang, left, and Kyle Filipowski, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers' Kawhi Leonard (2) works around Utah Jazz's Johnny Juzang (33) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers' Ivica Zubac dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — JuJu Watkins was carried off the floor with a right knee injury in the first quarter of top-seeded Southern California’s game against Mississippi State in the women's NCAA Tournament on Monday night.

Watkins, one of the biggest stars in women's basketball, was streaking to the basket between two defenders when her knee bent awkwardly as she planted her right leg, causing her to crumple to the floor with 4:43 remaining. She grabbed her knee and writhed in pain as her teammates surrounded her.

The crowd in Galen Center went silent as coach Lindsay Gottlieb and two other USC staffers attended to the 19-year-old Watkins, a 6-foot-2 sophomore who averages 24.6 points. She was carried off the court by multiple people and the game went to a media timeout with the Trojans leading 13-2.

USC said Watkins was being evaluated by medical staff and would not return to the game.

“She’s getting seen by our great medical team. We have a group, and a fan base and a team that’s going to have her back no matter what,” Gottlieb told ESPN after halftime. “JuJu is the toughest kid I know and she’s gonna be good one way or another.”

Watkins has enjoyed good health in her brief college career. She started all 34 of USC’s games as a freshman, when she was second in scoring nationally with 27.1 points a game. Her 920 points set a national record for freshman scoring.

USC reached the Elite Eight last year, losing to Paige Bueckers and UConn. The teams could meet again in a regional final in Spokane, Washington, this year.

After Watkins was hurt, the crowd loudly booed Mississippi State every time it had the ball. The school's cheerleaders were booed during their halftime routine and the crowd got on the team again as it warmed up for the second half.

Watkins was 0 of 2 shooting, with three free throws, one rebound and two assists in five minutes.

The Trojans led 28-8 after the first quarter.

In the second quarter, USC guard Malia Samuels went down hard on the baseline. She held her head in her hands as the crowd booed and Gottlieb again came rushing out to check on the sophomore, who ran the offense in Watkins' absence. She wasn't hurt.

The Trojans appeared undaunted by the injury to their star. They rushed the floor in celebration after senior Rayah Marshall banked in a 3-pointer to beat the halftime buzzer and extend the lead to 50-27.

Watkins hurt her left hand after the ball jammed her fingers in USC's first-round blowout win over UNC Greensboro. She later came up limping on her left leg and winced.

“It’s the end of the season, body is a little banged up,” she said afterward. “On to the next. Nobody cares. I’m all good.”

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Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) reacts on the floor after an injury during the first half against Mississippi State in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Monday, March 24, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) draws a foul against Mississippi State guard Eniya Russell, left, and guard Chandler Prater (5) during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Monday, March 24, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) reacts on the floor after an injury during the first half against Mississippi State in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Monday, March 24, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) reacts on the floor after an injury during the first half against Mississippi State in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Monday, March 24, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)