Duke’s Injury Woes: Flagg and Brown’s Uncertain Future in ACC Tournament
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Duke Blue Devils, a team that has been riding high on a wave of success, now finds itself in a precarious position as it heads into the ACC tournament semifinals. The reason? Injuries to two of their key players, Cooper Flagg and Maliq Brown, have cast a shadow over their championship aspirations.
Let’s start with the unfortunate news about Cooper Flagg. The freshman star, who has been a standout performer for Duke, is dealing with an ankle sprain that has left his participation in the semifinals as a “real long shot,” according to Duke coach Jon Scheyer. Flagg’s injury occurred during the Blue Devils’ 78-70 quarterfinal win against Georgia Tech. It was a moment that had fans holding their breath as Flagg rolled his left ankle in the first half, hobbling off the court and heading to the locker room. Although he returned to the bench for the second half, he didn’t play again.
Flagg’s absence is a significant blow to Duke’s lineup. The 6-foot-9 forward has been a force to be reckoned with, earning the title of ACC’s player and newcomer of the year. His regular-season stats speak volumes: 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. Coach Scheyer emphasized the importance of getting Flagg back to full health, stating, “It’s not about being ready to go tomorrow. That’s not the most important thing for us. We’ve got to see if we can get him right for this run that we can make in the [NCAA] tournament.”
Flagg wasn’t available to speak with reporters after the game as he was receiving treatment for his injury. The X-rays showed no fracture, which is a silver lining in this otherwise cloudy situation. However, Scheyer remains cautious, saying, “I would have to be really convinced that we should even consider seeing if he can go [Friday]. He may not be able to go anyway. He probably won’t be able to go anyway. But I think it’s a real long shot, a real long shot.”
As if Flagg’s injury wasn’t enough, Duke also has to contend with the uncertainty surrounding Maliq Brown. The defensive whiz had to be helped to the locker room after dislocating his left shoulder, an injury that has plagued him before. Brown’s defensive prowess is crucial for Duke, given his ability to switch screens, guard multiple positions, and disrupt the opponent’s offense with his length.
Brown’s injury occurred just moments before Flagg’s, adding to the team’s woes. He was taken to a nearby hospital, and it’s too early to say whether he’ll be able to return to the court. His absence leaves a significant gap in Duke’s defense, and the team will need to find a way to compensate for his loss.
Despite these setbacks, Duke remains a formidable force. The Blue Devils were projected as the likely No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament coming into the game, having taken over the top spot in the rankings this week. They had won eight straight games before the ACC tournament, showcasing their dominance on the court.
However, the injuries to Flagg and Brown have raised serious questions about Duke’s ability to maintain their momentum. As Duke guard Tyrese Proctor put it, “We worried about it after the game. 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.”
The Blue Devils were trailing 26-17 late in the first half when Flagg’s injury occurred. He went up for an uncontested rebound and appeared to have his left foot clip the foot of Georgia Tech’s Baye Ndongo as he came down, causing his ankle to roll grotesquely. Flagg’s distress was evident as he hobbled back to the bench, pounding a chair with his right fist in frustration.
After sitting on the bench for a few minutes, Flagg was taken to the locker room for observation. He was later shown in a wheelchair in the bowels of the Spectrum Center. Despite the setback, Flagg showed resilience, walking gingerly with his teammates and shaking hands with his coach after the game.
Graduate guard Sion James expressed his admiration for Flagg, 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.”
As Duke prepares for the semifinals, the team faces a daunting challenge. The injuries to Flagg and Brown have left them with serious injury questions that could linger well beyond this week’s games in Charlotte. The Blue Devils will need to dig deep and rely on their depth to overcome these obstacles and continue their quest for ACC glory.
- Cooper Flagg: ACC’s player and newcomer of the year
- Maliq Brown: Defensive whiz with a dislocated shoulder
- Duke’s record: 29-3
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
