LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Cardinals community was rocked last night as junior guard and team captain, Marcus “MJ” Johnson, suffered a devastating knee injury that could threaten his basketball career.
With just three minutes left in the heated matchup against the Duke Blue Devils, Johnson landed awkwardly after a contested layup, collapsing to the floor in visible agony. Silence fell over the packed KFC Yum! Center as trainers rushed onto the court. Johnson was eventually helped off, unable to put weight on his left leg, his face buried in a towel as teammates and fans watched in shock.
Initial reports suggest Johnson has torn multiple ligaments in his knee — an injury that could sideline him for over a year, and potentially derail his dreams of entering the NBA Draft.
Head coach Rick Mathis fought back tears in the postgame press conference. “Marcus is the heart and soul of this team. We’re devastated for him, but we know the kind of fighter he is.”
Fans and fellow athletes across the country have flooded social media with messages of support, using the hashtag #PrayForMJ. For now, the Cardinals must rally without their leader as they navigate the rest of the season — but the biggest battle lies ahead for Marcus Johnson.
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