Deadspin | Duke considers phenom Cooper Flagg ‘long shot’ for ACC semis

CHARLOTTE — Duke freshman Cooper Flagg was unable to complete his first ACC Match recreation on Thursday, and it is up within the air whether or not the Blue Devils will use the convention participant of the 12 months Friday within the semifinals.

Flagg injured his left ankle with 2:46 remaining within the first half of Duke’s 78-70 match quarterfinal win over Georgia Tech on Thursday and was helped off the court docket by teammates. He underwent exams on-site, and head coach Jon Scheyer stated following the sport that X-rays of the ankle have been unfavorable.

As for when Flagg would possibly take the court docket once more, that is a query with infinite variables. Friday’s semifinals matchup is “an extended shot,” Scheyer stated. The Blue Devils play the winner of the sport Thursday between No. 4 seed Wake Forest in opposition to No. 5 seed North Carolina.

Kon Knueppel led a freshman-charged assault with a career-high 28 factors after receiving a directive from Scheyer to select it up within the second half. Knueppel responded with 22 factors after intermission and Isaiah Evans added 14 for the sport.

“It isn’t about one particular person, it isn’t about two folks,” Evans stated. “It is about Duke.”

No. 1 within the nation with the NCAA Match a full week away, Scheyer didn’t speculate on the deserves of holding Flagg out of the lineup the remainder of the weekend. A win Friday would place the Blue Devils within the match title recreation Saturday evening.

Duke additionally misplaced Maliq Brown within the first half with a separated shoulder, a repeat of the harm that brought about him to play with a closely wrapped left shoulder and higher arm on Friday. Brown, Scheyer stated, was in “quite a lot of ache” and left the stadium on a stretcher.

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

Knueppel logged 39 minutes, had eight assists, 5 assists and rapidly shifted into a distinct function comfortably when Flagg exited. He stated the mentality for the workforce the subsequent two days must be “subsequent man up.”

“Kon’s unbelievable, man,” Duke’s Sion James stated. “With Coop out, extra ball dealing with obligations fell on Kon, and Kon’s one of the crucial poised, gifted teammates I’ve ever performed with.”

Flagg left his toes to collect a defensive rebound and landed awkwardly on his left leg, instantly grabbing his higher ankle and decrease left shin space. He was dominated out of the sport, the top-ranked Blue Devils’ first within the convention match 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 14 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 harm, 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 11:13 left within the second half.

Flagg got here to his toes, however rapidly lifted his left foot off the bottom to stability 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 anticipated 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