Duke’s path through the ACC Tournament quarterfinals was fraught with peril, as the Blue Devils faced a significant scare with star freshman Cooper Flagg’s ankle injury. Late in the first half against Georgia Tech, Flagg went down, landing awkwardly after a rebound attempt, and was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the game.
The incident immediately raised concerns about the severity of the injury, especially with the NCAA Tournament looming. Coach John Scheyer, speaking to reporters after Duke’s hard-fought victory, revealed that X-rays on Flagg’s ankle came back negative, a small measure of relief amidst the anxiety. However, Scheyer tempered expectations, stating that Flagg’s return for the rest of the ACC Tournament was a “long shot,” emphasizing the need for caution and a thorough assessment before any potential return. The severity of the initial injury was underscored by reports that Flagg was helped to the locker room without putting weight on his injured leg, and later seen in a wheelchair.
Despite this, he was able to walk back to the bench to support his team in the second half, a sign that perhaps the injury wasn’t as severe as initially feared. Flagg’s performance before the injury was uncharacteristically subdued, limited to just two points in a challenging first half against a determined Georgia Tech squad. Adding to Duke’s woes, junior big man Maliq Brown also suffered a significant injury, dislocating his shoulder and being transported to the hospital. The Blue Devils, despite these setbacks, managed to rally and secure the win, but the injuries to Flagg and Brown cast a shadow over their victory, leaving their tournament prospects uncertain.
