Fortunately for Duke, its young superstar, Cooper Flagg, seemed to avoid a major injury after exiting Thursday’s ACC Tournament game vs. Georgia Tech.
However, after what head coach Jon Scheyer called a left ankle sprain, Flagg’s status is still up in the air. His injury came at a critical time for the Blue Devils, who are still competing in their conference tournament and will soon be among the title favorites in the NCAA Tournament.
Just when Flagg will be able to return to the floor is unclear, and Duke has a quick turnaround, as it’s now set to take on rival North Carolina in Friday’s ACC Tournament semifinal matchup. Could the do-it-all forward return for the game?
Here are the latest updates on Flagg’s status vs. North Carolina as Duke seeks to extend its conference tournament run.
MORE: Sporting News’ latest bracketology as 2025 NCAA Tournament nears
Is Cooper Flagg playing today?
Flagg’s official status for Friday’s matchup against North Carolina is currently unknown. But based on Scheyer’s postgame comments on Thursday, the star freshman appears unlikely to hit the hardwood before the NCAA Tournament begins.
Duke’s head coach was more focused on Flagg’s health for his squad’s title chase.
“It’s not worth it. It just isn’t. Again, [his ankle] was swollen already. It’s not about being ready to go tomorrow,” Scheyer said. “That’s not the most important thing for us, we gotta see if we can get him right for this run that we can make in the [NCAA] Tournament. But I would have to be really convinced that we should even consider seeing if he can go tomorrow.”
Jon Scheyer on Cooper Flagg potentially playing in the remainder of the ACC Tournament:
“It’s not worth it.” pic.twitter.com/2hiq8ohCnG
— Travon Miles (@TrayABC11) March 13, 2025
Scheyer added that Flagg “probably won’t be able to go anyway,” and called it a “real longshot” for him to play more in the ACC Tournament, as the medical staff continues monitoring the swelling around his ankle.
With over 24 hours to heal between games, there is a chance that Flagg’s ankle could heal enough that Duke would consider letting the freshman play. But based on Scheyer’s initial assessment, Flagg is likely to be sidelined until the Blue Devils’ March Madness run begins.
MORE: Latest injury updates on Duke forward Maliq Brown
What happened to Cooper Flagg?
Flagg left Thursday’s ACC Tournament game vs. Georgia Tech with an ankle injury.
As he went to grab a defensive rebound, Flagg landed on an opposing player’s ankle, twisting his own. He immediately went to the floor in pain before needing to be helped off the court by his teammates.
Duke’s Cooper Flagg went down with an apparent ankle injury against Georgia Tech and has headed back to the locker room
pic.twitter.com/OpPfr4STBc
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) March 13, 2025
After going back to the locker room, Flagg was seen in a wheelchair.
Cooper Flagg is off his feet, and in a wheelchair
If he can’t play in March Madness… this is devastating.
(@BryanDFischer) pic.twitter.com/rJtR4gE1Fq
— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) March 13, 2025
Flagg then returned to Duke’s bench for the rest of the contest. After the game, Scheyer said Flagg’s ankle X-rays came back negative and called the injury a sprain, noting that the team would monitor how the ailment heals moving forward.
Jon Scheyer on Cooper Flagg:
“He sprained his ankle. X-rays were negative, which is great. We just have to see how he recovers and how he goes from there”pic.twitter.com/zKKzQDc1oc
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) March 13, 2025
When does March Madness start?
If Flagg is going to return for the start of the NCAA Tournament, he’d have to do so by March 20 or 21. That’s when the first round of action will begin.
Here’s a look at the full tentative schedule for March Madness:
- First Four: March 18-19
- First round: March 20-21
- Second round: March 22-23
- Sweet 16: March 27-28
- Elite Eight: March 29-30
- Final Four: April 5
- NCAA championship game: April 7
