Duke’s path to an ACC title just got a lot harder. Late in the first half against Georgia Tech, Cooper Flagg — the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft — went up for a rebound and landed awkwardly, immediately grabbing his left ankle in pain. The 6-foot-9 freshman was helped off the court and taken to the locker room as Duke fans watched in silence. While the Blue Devils managed to secure a 78-70 win, Flagg’s uncertain status has cast a shadow over their postseason hopes.
Speculation about Flagg’s availability for the ACC championship game swirled for hours — until sports anchor Chanel Porter delivered the news no Duke fan wanted to hear. In a post on X, Porter wrote, “Jon Scheyer confirms that Cooper Flagg will not play in tomorrow’s ACC title game.” The announcement hit like a dagger. Flagg had been Duke’s engine all season, averaging 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. His absence against archrival North Carolina immediately signaled trouble in paradise. Was Scheyer simply protecting his star freshman for the more critical NCAA Tournament run, or was the injury more serious than initially suggested? Either way, Porter’s post confirmed what many had feared — Duke would be without their best player with a conference title on the line.
Flagg returned to the bench for the second half of the Georgia Tech game, this time in a wheelchair. He didn’t play another minute, but the fact that he was back courtside offered a small glimmer of hope. After the game, head coach Jon Scheyer provided an update that both eased and complicated Duke’s future. “He suffered a sprained ankle, but the X-rays came back negative,” Scheyer told reporters.
Jon Scheyer confirms that Cooper Flagg will not play in tomorrow’s ACC title game.
— Chanel Porter (@chanelcporter) March 15, 2025
“He’s dealing with swelling, so we’d have to be really convinced we should even consider seeing if he can go.” The cautious tone in Scheyer’s voice was unmistakable — Flagg’s long-term health is the priority, even if it means sacrificing an ACC title shot.
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