Cooper Flagg injury update: Will Duke star play in ACC tournament title game?
Duke is one win away from the ACC tournament championship and likely securing a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, but it will have to play one more game without its star player.
In the first half of Duke's quarterfinal matchup against Georgia Tech, freshman sensation Cooper Flaggsustained a left ankle injury after he took an awkward landing from a rebound attempt. He didn't play the rest of the game as the Blue Devils beat the Yellow Jackets, and in the semifinal matchup against rival North Carolina, Flagg was on the bench in street clothes as his team fended off a late comeback from the Tar Heels.
Now with Duke set to face Louisville for the conference crown on Saturday, Flagg will be a spectator again. Here's the latest updates on Flagg's injury status for the ACC tournament final:
Will Cooper Flagg play today?
No, Flagg will not play against the Cardinals.
After Friday's 74-71 win over North Carolina, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer addressed his star player's injury and determined he wouldn't play.
"As far as Cooper goes, he's doing better. Sprained ankle, all the imaging came back negative. He sprained it pretty good, though. It's a good sprain. I'm not breaking any news. He's not going to play tomorrow. He can't play," Scheyer said Friday night.
Scheyer had previously said it was a "long shot" Flagg would come back for any more games in the ACC tournament. Now he said the focus will be on making sure Flagg is healthy enough for March Madness next week.
"Our goal is to have him ready for the tournament. But we need to see how this weekend goes with the swelling and what he can do," he said.
Flagg appeared to be in a good condition during Friday's game, walking on his own and was seen celebrating with teammates on big plays.
What is Cooper Flagg's injury?
Flagg suffered a sprained ankle, Scheyer confirmed.
Cooper Flagg stats
The Blue Devils will certainly be without a major contributor against Louisville on Saturday as Flagg leads the team in several statistical categories, including points (18.9), rebounds (6.1), assists (4.1), blocks (1.3) and steals (1.5) per game.
Flagg's stellar play this season has put him on the list of 15 men’s players on the ballot for the John R. Wooden Award, which is presented annually to the most outstanding men’s and women’s college basketball players. He is one of the favorites to win the award along with Auburn's Johni Broome.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Cooper Flagg play in ACC title game? Injury update on Duke star
Topics
-
Duke basketball coach Jon Scheyer gives Cooper Flagg injury update before ACC Tournament championship game
Following Duke's win vs. UNC in the ACC Tournament, head coach Jon Scheyer provided an injury update on Cooper Flagg's status for the title game.Yahoo Sports - 7h -
Duke's Cooper Flagg leaves ACC quarterfinal game against Georgia Tech with ankle injury
Duke star Cooper Flagg left Thursday’s Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament quarterfinal game with a left ankle injury and had to be helped to the locker roomABC News - 1d -
Duke forward Cooper Flagg injures left ankle in ACC Tournament game
Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg, the presumptive No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, injured his left ankle during the Blue Devils’ ACC Tournament game on Thursday.NBC News - 1d -
Cooper Flagg injury update: X-rays negative after Duke star leaves ACC Tournament game with sprained ankle
Updating Flagg's injury, which created a see-saw effect in betting markets ThursdayCBS Sports - 1d -
Cooper Flagg injury update: Will Duke basketball star play vs. UNC?
Is Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg expected to play Friday night against North Carolina? Here's what we know.Yahoo Sports - 23h -
Flagg 'long shot' for ACC semis after ankle injury
Duke freshman phenom Cooper Flagg is a "real long shot" to play in the ACC tournament semifinals after suffering a sprained left ankle, coach Jon Scheyer said.ESPN - 1d -
Cooper Flagg injury: Duke teammates describe reactions, adjustments after star leaves ACC Tournament game
Flagg injured his left ankle, left the game, got x-rays and was seen in wheelchair in the bowels of the Spectrum CenterCBS Sports - 1d -
Flagg helped off with ankle injury; Duke survives
No. 1 Duke lost both Cooper Flagg (sprained left ankle) and Maliq Brown (dislocated shoudler) in the first half but held on to beat Ga. Tech in the ACC tournament.ESPN - 1d -
ACC tournament bracket, schedule: Cooper Flagg, Duke look to extend dominance with eyes on NCAA title
Can anyone stop Cooper Flagg and Duke?Yahoo Sports - 6d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Lando Norris takes pole but ‘learning curve’ continues for Lewis Hamilton in eighth
Lando Norris said he was “not getting ahead” of himself, despite making the perfect start to the new Formula One season in Melbourne. The McLaren driver topped all three qualifying sessions to grab ...Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Jonathan Kuminga drops 18 points in 20 minutes off bench in return vs. Kings
After missing 31 straight games due to an ankle injury, Jonathan Kuminga made his return to the court on Thursday against the Kings.Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Lisbie twins have defences seeing double at Braintree
Braintree Town's Kyrell and Kyreece Lisbie are inspiring young people with TikTok videos about the highs and lows of football life.Yahoo Sports - 19m -
MAC Tournament | Brothers lead Akron, Miami men's basketball teams into championship game
The 2025 MAC Men's Basketball Tournament championship features brothers John Groce of Akron and Travis Steele of Miami coaching against each other.Yahoo Sports - 27m -
Bengals appear to have big plans for Joseph Ossai in 2025
Joseph Ossai is back and primed for a big role.Yahoo Sports - 27m
More in Sports
-
Atleti's Gallagher: Focus now on beating Barça
Atlético Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher said the team has moved on from the painful UEFA Champions League exit against Real Madrid in a controversial penalty shootout on Wednesday.ESPN - 11m -
Estadio Azteca changes name ahead of 2026 WC
Mexico City's Estadio Azteca has changed its name to Estadio Banorte in order to help fund the final stages of remodeling for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.ESPN - 11m -
Guardiola laughs off Capello calling him 'arrogant'
Pep Guardiola has laughed off criticism from Fabio Capello after the former England manager accused the Manchester City boss of ruining Italian football.ESPN - 11m -
NWSL's BOS Nation to be renamed after backlash
Boston's 2026 NWSL franchise announced Friday that it will officially change its name following a highly-ridiculed launch last fall.ESPN - 11m -
Neymar ruled out of Brazil return, Endrick in
Neymar's return to action for Brazil will be delayed yet longer after the forward was ruled out of his country's squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers on Friday due to a thigh injury.ESPN - 11m