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Cooper Flagg’s Injury Scare
Cooper Flagg suffered an ankle sprain after an awkward landing while going for a rebound during Duke's ACC Tournament matchup against Georgia Tech. Head coach Jon Scheyer confirmed that X-rays came back negative, but Flagg was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
The injury occurred late in the first half when Flagg's left foot landed on an opposing player. He immediately grabbed his ankle in pain and was helped off the court before being transported by wheelchair for further evaluation. Initially listed as doubtful to return, Flagg later reappeared on the Duke bench in the second half without a boot and walking on his own, though he did not play again.
Duke’s Second-Half Turnaround
Despite missing their star freshman, the No. 1 Blue Devils found their rhythm in the second half, securing a 78-70 victory over Georgia Tech. Duke struggled early, trailing 31-26 at halftime after missing their first 13 three-point attempts and shooting just 36.7% from the field. However, they flipped the script in the final 20 minutes, outscoring Georgia Tech 52-39 while improving their shooting to 43.5% overall and 23.3% from beyond the arc.
Kon Knueppel led the charge with 28 points, while Khaman Maluach and Isaiah Evans contributed 14 points each. Flagg, who had an off night offensively before his injury, finished with just two points on 1-of-7 shooting.
What’s Next for Flagg and Duke?
The 18-year-old freshman has been a dominant force for Duke this season, earning ACC Player of the Year, ACC Rookie of the Year, and first-team All-ACC honors. Leading up to the tournament, he averaged 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. Many expect him to be the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft if he declares.
Originally from Maine, Flagg finished high school at Montverde Academy in Florida, where he was named the 2024 Gatorade National Player of the Year and the top recruit in his class. He committed to Duke in October 2023, choosing the Blue Devils over Connecticut.
As Duke advances to the ACC Tournament semifinals, they will face the winner of Wake Forest vs. North Carolina. Flagg’s status remains uncertain, with the coaching staff monitoring his ankle before making any decisions about his return.