Duke has greater issues than trailing Georgia Tech at halftime within the ACC Match quarterfinals.
Late within the first half, star freshman ahead Cooper Flagg suffered a decrease left leg harm and required help getting off the courtroom.
After grabbing a defensive rebound with the Blue Devils down 26-17, Flagg landed awkwardly and instantly grabbed for his left ankle.
At halftime, ESPN confirmed footage of Flagg in a wheelchair, seemingly on his approach to get X-rays. He was dominated out within the second half however returned to the bench below his personal energy.
Related Press No. 1 Duke (28-3, 19-1 in ACC) trails Georgia Tech (17-15, 10-10 in ACC) 31-26 at halftime.
Flagg was solely 1-of-7 capturing earlier than struggling his harm — a part of an total poor offensive efficiency from Duke, which started 0-of-13 from past the arc and entered the second half capturing 36.7 p.c.
However the sensational freshman, a 2024-25 Wood Award contender, impacted the sport in different methods, nabbing 4 rebounds and including two steals and one block.
This season, Flagg leads the Blue Devils in factors (19.4), rebounds (7.6), assists (4.2), steals (1.5) and blocks (1.3) per sport.
Successful the ACC Match is secondary to Flagg’s well being. The Blue Devils are a projected No. 1 seed within the NCAA Match, they usually want Flagg in the event that they need to go on an prolonged March Insanity run.
Whereas he seems to have averted a severe harm, Duke ought to in all probability hold Flagg on the bench till the Spherical of 64 subsequent Thursday or Friday.
As disappointing as a loss to Georgia Tech can be, it may not be the worst factor for the Blue Devils.