Duke Star Cooper Flagg Leaves ACC Tournament in Wheelchair After Injury in Win Over Georgia Tech
Duke University’s basketball team experienced a concerning moment during their ACC Tournament matchup against Georgia Tech when star freshman Cooper Flagg was forced to leave the court in a wheelchair following an injury. Flagg, one of the most highly anticipated players in college basketball, sustained the injury late in the game, casting a shadow over what was otherwise a dominant 79-60 victory for the Blue Devils.
The injury occurred with just under three minutes remaining in the second half. Flagg, who has been a key contributor for Duke all season, was chasing down a loose ball when he appeared to twist his ankle after landing awkwardly. Immediately, medical staff rushed to his aid, and Flagg was helped off the court before being placed in a wheelchair to be taken to the locker room. The sight of the young star leaving the court visibly concerned fans and teammates alike, given his importance to Duke’s tournament hopes.
Prior to the injury, Flagg had delivered another stellar performance, contributing both offensively and defensively for the Blue Devils. His ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor has made him a standout in his freshman season, and he had been playing a crucial role in the team’s offensive flow and defensive schemes. His injury left a question mark over Duke’s prospects in the remainder of the tournament and beyond.
Following the game, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer provided an update on Flagg’s condition, noting that the team would need to evaluate the injury further to determine its severity. While Scheyer remained cautiously optimistic, he did not offer specifics about whether Flagg would be available for Duke’s next match or if he would be sidelined for a longer period.
“We’re hoping for the best, but we’ll take it one step at a time,” said Scheyer. “Cooper’s been such an important part of our team this season, and we’ll be supporting him through this.”
Flagg’s injury has added an extra layer of uncertainty to Duke’s tournament run. As one of the top prospects in the nation, his potential absence could significantly impact the Blue Devils’ chances of securing another ACC title or making a deep run in the NCAA tournament.
As of now, the extent of the injury remains unknown, but fans and teammates alike are hoping for a speedy recovery for the talented freshman.
