Duke's Cooper Flagg injures ankle, out of ACC tourney quarterfinal

Field Level Media|published: 03/13/2025, 1:22pm EDT

Mar 13, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) is injured in the first half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Duke star Cooper Flagg injured his left ankle with 2:46 remaining in the first half of the top-ranked Blue Devils' game against Georgia Tech on Thursday and was helped off the court by teammates.

Flagg, the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year, went up for a rebound and landed awkwardly on his left leg, immediately grabbing his upper-ankle area.

He was ruled doubtful to return to the game, a quarterfinal matchup in the ACC Tournament in Charlotte, N.C. At halftime, ESPN's cameras showed Flagg being pushed in a wheelchair in the locker room area toward the X-ray room.

Georgia Tech was up 26-17 when Flagg went out, and the Yellow Jackets took a 31-26 lead into the half over Duke.

Before the injury, Flagg had two points on 1-for-7 shooting but had four rebounds, two steals and one blocked shot.

Duke shot just 2-for-16 from 3-point range in the first half.

The standout freshman, 18, is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Flagg ranks among the conference's top 10 this season in points (third, 19.4/game), rebounds (eighth, 7.6), assists (eighth, 4.2), steals (10th, 1.5) and blocks (eighth, 1.3).

--Field Level Media