Duke beat Georgia Tech 78-70 in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament Thursday, but the greatest concern after victory is the health of Cooper Flagg.
Duke’s first year student left the game in a wheelchair in the first half after falling awkwardly on his ankle.
Flagg jumped to get a bounce, and when he fell to the ground, he landed on the left ankle. He immediately wrinkled to the ground.
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Duke Blue Devils Cooper Flagg striker (2) is injured in the first half in the Spectrum Center on March 13, 2025. (Bob Donnan-Imagn images)
The first year student of six feet and nine remained on the floor for a few moments before being helped by his teammates.
Flagg then had the bank, clearly in trouble, before sitting. After leaving the game, Flagg was placed in a wheelchair and taken to the locker room.
Despite the injury, Flagg returned to the bank from the costumes to encourage his teammates in the second half, but did not enter the game again.
Duke coach Jon Scheyer said at his press conference after the game that had swelling on his ankle.
“The ankle was twisted. The radiographs were negative, which is great. We just have to see how it recovers and how it goes from there,” said Scheyer.
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Duke Blue Devils Cooper Flagg striker (2) is injured in the first half in the Spectrum Center on March 13, 2025. (Bob Donnan-Imagn images)
Flagg scored two points in 1-7 shots with four rebounds, two robberies and a blockade before leaving due to the lesion.
Kon Knueppel and Isaiah Evans brought the load for the Blue Devils in the victory.
Knueppel had 28 points, eight assists, five rebounds and two robberies, while Evans added 14 points from the bank.
Georgia Tech at one point led 26-12 in the first half before the Devils closed the gap to 31-26 in part time.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Naithan George (1) shoots when Duke Blue Devils Cooper Flagg (2) defends in the first half at the Spectrum Center on March 13, 2025. (Bob Donnan-Imagn images)
Duncan Powell was the catalyst for the yellow jackets in the defeat, scoring 28 points in 9-20 shots, including 6-14 shots from a three-point range.
Baye Ndongo and Lance Terry had 15 and 12 points in the defeat.
Duke will play Wake Forest winner and North Carolina in the second round.
