Duke’s Injury Woes: A Tough Road Ahead in the ACC Tournament
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Duke Blue Devils, a team that has been riding high on a wave of success, now finds itself facing a significant hurdle. Coach Jon Scheyer has expressed serious doubts about the availability of freshman sensation Cooper Flagg for the ACC tournament semifinals. The reason? An unfortunate ankle sprain that has put a damper on the team’s spirits.
Flagg, who has been a standout player for the Blue Devils, suffered the injury during the first half of their 78-70 quarterfinal win against Georgia Tech. The incident occurred when Flagg went up for an uncontested rebound, only to have his left foot clip the foot of Georgia Tech’s Baye Ndongo as he landed. The result was a grotesque roll of the ankle that sent Flagg crashing to the court in pain.
As Flagg hobbled off the court, the concern among Duke fans and players was palpable. He returned to the bench in the second half but did not play again. Coach Scheyer has described Flagg’s chances of playing in the semifinals as a “real long shot,” emphasizing the need to prioritize his recovery for the NCAA tournament.
Flagg’s absence is a significant blow to the Blue Devils. The 6-foot-9 freshman has been a powerhouse on the court, earning the title of the ACC’s player and newcomer of the year with impressive averages of 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists during the regular season. His contributions have been instrumental in Duke’s success, and his potential absence leaves a void that will be challenging to fill.
Adding to Duke’s injury woes is the situation with defensive specialist Maliq Brown. Brown, who plays a crucial role in Duke’s defense, dislocated his left shoulder during the same game. This injury comes less than a week after he returned from a similar issue, raising concerns about his availability for the remainder of the tournament.
Brown’s ability to switch screens, guard multiple positions, and disrupt the opponent’s offense with his length is vital to Duke’s defensive strategy. His absence, coupled with Flagg’s injury, presents a formidable challenge for the Blue Devils as they navigate the rest of the ACC tournament.
Despite these setbacks, the team remains optimistic. Duke guard Tyrese Proctor expressed confidence in the team’s ability to adapt and overcome these challenges. “Obviously it’s tough to see them go down. But it’s basketball, it happens. It’s unfortunate. We’re going to get them right and they’re going to be good and we’ll just continue to play our game,” Proctor said.
As the Blue Devils prepare for the semifinals, they do so with the knowledge that they were projected as the likely No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament. This ranking is a testament to their performance throughout the season, which included an eight-game winning streak leading up to the ACC tournament.
However, the path forward is fraught with uncertainty. The injuries to Flagg and Brown have cast a shadow over Duke’s prospects, and the team will need to dig deep to maintain their momentum. Coach Scheyer’s focus is on ensuring that Flagg is ready for the NCAA tournament, even if it means sitting out the ACC semifinals.
As the Blue Devils face these challenges, the support from their fans and the determination of their players will be crucial. Graduate guard Sion James summed up the team’s sentiment, saying, “Cooper’s one of the toughest guys I know. I haven’t gotten a chance to see him or talk to him but I really hope he’s feeling a lot better.”
Injuries are an unfortunate part of sports, and how a team responds to them can define their season. For Duke, the coming days will be a test of resilience and adaptability as they strive to continue their successful run in the ACC tournament and beyond.
- Cooper Flagg’s injury: A significant setback for Duke
- Maliq Brown’s defensive prowess will be missed
- Duke’s resilience will be tested in the ACC tournament
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
