Duke’s Cooper Flagg Suffers Ankle Injury, Shaking Up ACC Tournament
Freshman Phenom’s Status in Doubt as Blue Devils Face Tough Road Ahead
March 13, 2025 – Duke’s championship hopes took a major hit on Thursday when star freshman Cooper Flagg suffered a left ankle injury during the Blue Devils’ ACC Tournament matchup against Georgia Tech. Flagg, one of the most exciting young players in college basketball, was ruled out for the remainder of the game, leaving fans and analysts worried about how this could impact Duke’s postseason run.
The injury comes at a critical time for the Blue Devils, who entered the ACC Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed and a strong favorite to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. With March Madness just around the corner, all eyes are now on Flagg’s recovery timeline.
A Scary Moment on the Court
The injury occurred late in the first half when Duke was trailing 26-17. Flagg went up for what seemed like a routine rebound, but as he landed, his left foot appeared to come down awkwardly on the foot of Georgia Tech’s Darrion Sutton. Immediately, Flagg collapsed to the floor, grabbing his ankle in pain.
As he tried to get up, it was clear something wasn’t right. He limped over to the bench, his frustration evident as he bent over, clutching his knees. Moments later, he slammed his fist on a chair in frustration, knowing he might not be able to continue.
Soon after, he was helped off the court, arms draped over two teammates for support. Duke’s medical staff quickly escorted him to the locker room for further evaluation. At halftime, Flagg was seen in a wheelchair being taken for X-rays, raising concerns about the severity of his injury.
Flagg Returns to Bench, But Stays on Sidelines
The sight of Flagg returning to Duke’s bench early in the second half gave fans a glimmer of hope. This time, he was walking on his own, a positive sign that the injury might not be as serious as initially feared. However, shortly after his return, Duke’s coaching staff confirmed that Flagg would not be re-entering the game.
This was not the only setback for the Blue Devils. Earlier in the game, forward Maliq Brown also suffered a first-half shoulder injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest. With two key players sidelined, Duke found itself in a tough spot against Georgia Tech, who capitalized on the Blue Devils’ misfortunes.
How This Injury Could Impact Duke’s NCAA Tournament Chances
Before the ACC Tournament, Duke was widely viewed as a top contender for the NCAA Championship. The team finished the regular season with an impressive 28-3 record and had won eight consecutive games leading up to Thursday’s matchup.
Flagg has been instrumental in Duke’s success, averaging 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. His dominance on both ends of the court earned him ACC Player of the Year and ACC Newcomer of the Year honors, making him one of the most valuable players in college basketball this season.
Now, his injury puts Duke’s national title hopes in question. If Flagg is forced to miss time during March Madness, the Blue Devils will need other players to step up in his absence. While Duke has a deep and talented roster, losing a player of Flagg’s caliber would be a significant blow.
His ability to return to the bench under his own power was encouraging, but until more medical tests are conducted, the true severity of the injury remains unknown.
What’s Next for Flagg and Duke?
Duke’s medical staff will conduct further tests to determine the extent of Flagg’s ankle injury. While the fact that he was able to walk under his own power is a positive sign, ankle injuries can be tricky, and the team will likely take a cautious approach to avoid risking further damage.
With the NCAA Tournament selection just days away, the Blue Devils will anxiously await an update on Flagg’s status. If he is unable to play in the early rounds of the tournament, Duke’s path to a championship will become significantly more difficult.
For now, the team will have to push forward in the ACC Tournament without their star freshman. The basketball world will be watching closely to see if Flagg can recover in time to lead Duke on a deep March Madness run.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.