Flagg officially a no go for Duke’s semi vs

Mar 14, 2025, 05:24 PM ET Top-ranked Duke was without star freshman Cooper Flagg for Friday night’s ACC competition semifinal against competing North Carolina, with the Blue Devils officially ruling him out about two hours before tipoff in Charlotte, North Carolina.Flagg sprained his left ankle in the very first half of Duke’s 78-70 quarterfinal win versus Georgia Tech on Thursday. He hobbled off the court before heading to the locker room, then went back to the bench for the second half but didn’t play again.Editor’s Picks

It was thought about a long shot that he ‘d deal with the Tar Heels, coach Jon Scheyer had actually said. The 6-foot-9 Flagg was currently handling swelling after the Georgia Tech game, and Scheyer said he ‘d “need to be actually encouraged we should even think about seeing if he can go” in the semifinals Friday night. X-rays didn’t reveal a fracture.Flagg walked with no boot and no significant limp when he came to Spectrum Center before the game, keeping his hands in his pockets as he strolled with his every action being documented by TV cams and photographers.Flagg, the ACC’s player and

newcomer of the year, balanced 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists throughout the routine season.Duke likewise minus crucial reserve and defensive whiz Maliq Brown for the UNC game. Brown reinjured his dislocated left shoulder versus Georgia Tech.Brown arrived to Friday’s game with his left arm in a sling

after being taken to a medical facility for evaluation.Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.