Duke’s Cooper Flagg injures left ankle, out of ACC tourney quarterfinal

CHARLOTTE — Duke freshman Cooper Flagg injured his left ankle with 2:46 remaining within the first half of the ACC Event quarterfinal towards Georgia Tech on Thursday and was helped off the courtroom by teammates.

Flagg, the Atlantic Coast Convention Participant of the Yr, returned to the Blue Devils’ bench beneath his personal energy with out crutches or a strolling boot.

Flagg left his ft to assemble a defensive rebound and landed awkwardly on his left leg, instantly grabbing his upper-ankle and decrease left shin space. He was dominated out of the sport, the top-ranked Blue Devils’ first within the convention event Thursday morning.

At halftime, ESPN’s cameras confirmed Flagg being pushed in a wheelchair within the locker room space towards the X-ray room. He later was seen strolling with out help.

Georgia Tech led by as many as 13 within the first half and was up 26-17 when Flagg went out, and the Yellow Jackets took a 31-26 lead into the half over Duke. That was the most important halftime deficit of the season for the Blue Devils.

Earlier than the damage, Flagg had two factors on 1-for-7 capturing however had 4 rebounds, two steals and one blocked shot.

Duke missed its first 11 3-point makes an attempt and shot simply 2-for-16 from 3-point vary within the first half however got here out after halftime on a 21-9 run to take a 48-40 lead with 11:03 left within the second half.

Flagg got here to his ft, however rapidly lifted his left foot off the bottom to steadiness on one leg and have fun with teammates because the Blue Devils constructed a 54-43 benefit on the under-8 timeout within the second half.

The standout freshman, 18, is predicted to be the No. 1 choose within the 2025 NBA Draft.

Flagg ranks among the many convention’s prime 10 this season in factors (third, 19.4/recreation), rebounds (eighth, 7.6), assists (eighth, 4.2), steals (tenth, 1.5) and blocks (eighth, 1.3).

–Area Degree Media