Flagg (ankle) comes out of Duke win fully healthy

• David HaleMar 21, 2025, 06:08 PM ET

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  • College football reporter.Joined ESPN in 2012. Graduate of the University of Delaware.RALEIGH,
  • N.C.– Cooper Flagg played a little more

than 22 minutes in his go back to action following an ankle injury last week, and No. 1 seed Duke travelled past No. 16 Mount St. Mary’s 93-49 in a first-round NCAA competition game Friday.Flagg rolled his left ankle in the first half of Duke’s ACC tournament opener versus Georgia Tech 8 days ago and didn’t play in the Blue Devils’next two games. Against the Mountaineers, there were no signs that the ankle still was bothering him, and while he wasn’t required for any late-game heroics, he did set up 14 points and seven rebounds.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated “We were prepared for him to play more, but I think the way it worked out obviously was truly good,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer stated.

“However we were gotten ready for him to play as many minutes as he required to.”Flagg avoided any severe concerns over the ankle, stating it had been” a strategy”for him to return for this game all along and that he entered Friday’s match”100 percent and comfy

.”He displayed his movement early on a fast break, and after the game was over, he stated the ankle was no even worse for the wear. Flagg added that he wouldn’t need any unique treatment to be ready for Sunday’s showdown with No. 9 seed Baylor.”We simply put a plan in place,” Flagg said.”We have phases, a method of simply getting back, getting prepared and being prepared.” Scheyer stated Flagg worked extensively on the swimming pool treadmill to remain in shape over the previous week.

He added that playing Friday was good for Flagg to shake off any rust and kept in mind that the performance– which likewise included 4 helps and 2 blocks– was

an excellent indication for him moving forward.Also Friday, Kon Knueppel appeared to get banged up in the second half and got treatment on the sideline, but Scheyer minimized any injury concerns and stated the freshman guard will be fine for Sunday.