Flagg ‘long shot’ for ACC semis after ankle injury

Mar 13, 2025, 03:35 PM ET CHARLOTTE, N.C.– Duke coach Jon Scheyer said it’s a “genuine long shot” that freshman star Cooper Flagg will have the ability to play in the ACC tournament semifinals due to the fact that of an ankle sprain.Flagg rolled his left ankle in the very first half of the top-ranked Blue Devils’78-70 quarterfinal win against Georgia Tech. He hobbled off the court before heading to the locker room, then returned to the bench for the 2nd half however didn’t play again.It came minutes after protective whiz Maliq Brown needed to be assisted to the locker space, his left arm hanging limply by his side after he again dislocated his left shoulder.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated Scheyer said 6-foot-9 Flagg was currently handling swelling and said he ‘d”need to be truly encouraged we ought to even think about seeing if he can go “in the semifinals Friday night.Scheyer said X-rays showed no fracture for Flagg, the ACC’s player and newcomer of

the year, who balanced 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.2 helps during the regular season.” It’s not about being ready to go tomorrow,”Scheyer stated.” That’s not the most essential thing for us. We’ve got to see if we can get him right for this run that we can make in the [NCAA] competition.” But I would have to be actually encouraged that we should even consider seeing if he can go [Friday] He may not have the ability to go anyhow. He probably won’t have the ability to go anyhow. However I believe it’s a real long shot, a genuine long shot.” Cooper Flagg suffered an

ankle injury in the first half and was dismissed for the remainder of Thursday’s game against Georgia Tech. Bob Donnan-Imagn Images Flagg wasn’t available to consult with press reporters later because he was receiving treatment for the injury.It’s prematurely to say whether the 6-foot-9 Brown will make it back at all.

He was taken to a nearby hospital after dislocating his left shoulder again less than a week after returning from the injury. He plays an important defensive role with his ability to change screens, guard several positions and utilize his length to tally offense-disrupting deflections.And easily, Duke(29-3 )now faces severe injury concerns that threaten to stick around well beyond however long the Blue Devils play today in Charlotte.”We fretted about it after the game,”Duke guard Tyrese Proctor stated. “Clearly it’s tough to see them decrease. But it’s basketball, it occurs.

It’s regrettable. We’re going to get them ideal and they’re going to be good and we’ll simply continue to play our game. “Duke was predicted as the most likely No. 1 total seed in the NCAA competition coming into the game after taking control of the top spot in the rankings today.

The Blue Devils had actually won eight straight games before the ACC tournament.The Blue Devils were trailing 26-17 late in the very first half when Flagg went up for an uncontested rebound and appeared to have his left foot clip the foot of Georgia Tech’s

Baye Ndongo as he boiled down, causing his ankle to roll grotesquely and sending him crashing to the court grabbing at the joint with 2:46 left in the half.Flagg hobbled back to the bench in clear distress, then bent over with his hands on the seats and pounded a chair with his right fist.After resting on the bench for a couple of minutes, Flagg got up

and put his arms around 2 teammates and was required to the locker room for observation. He was later displayed in a wheelchair in the bowels of the Spectrum Center.When Scheyer greeted each player with a high five or a hug at the locker room after the last horn, Flagg strolled gingerly with his colleagues before shaking hands with his coach as he filed into the triumphant locker room.

“Cooper’s among the toughest guys I understand,” graduate guard Sion James said. “I haven’t gotten a an opportunity to see him or speak to him however I actually hope he’s feeling a lot better.” Brown’s injury had come minutes earlier, at the 4:58 mark at the very same protective end of the court.Georgia Tech guard Naithan George attempted to dribble to his right at the top of the secret before crashing Brown’s left shoulder. He gathered himself, did a jumpstep back

and then charged forward to attempt to beat Brown into the paint. Brown reached with his left arm to attempt to poke the ball loose and instantly grabbed at the shoulder, sporting a black encouraging sleeve, and folded in pain.Trainer Jose Fonseca then had to assist the still bent-over Brown off the court and to the locker room.