Updates on Cooper Flagg and Maliq Brown’s injuries for Duke basketball’s ACC Tournament matchup against UNC

As the 2025 ACC Tournament heads into one of the most highly anticipated matchups in the history of the tournament, all eyes are on the Duke Blue Devils and their showdown with the North Carolina Tar Heels. However, the build-up to this game has been overshadowed by injury concerns surrounding two of Duke’s key players: Cooper Flagg and Maliq Brown. Both players are integral to Duke’s success, and their statuses are pivotal to how the team will approach the game against their archrivals from Chapel Hill.

As Coach Jon Scheyer and his staff prepare for one of the most significant games of the season, fans and analysts alike are anxiously awaiting updates on these two players. Will Flagg, Duke’s star freshman, be healthy enough to suit up? How will the absence of Maliq Brown impact Duke’s frontcourt depth and defensive schemes? These questions have taken center stage in the days leading up to the game, creating an atmosphere of both tension and excitement.

In a press conference prior to the game, Coach Jon Scheyer addressed these injuries head-on, offering the latest information regarding Cooper Flagg and Maliq Brown’s conditions. The updates provided much-needed clarity but also left room for uncertainty as the Blue Devils prepared to face one of their most bitter rivals in a high-stakes matchup.

Cooper Flagg’s Injury: A Key Factor for Duke’s Success

Cooper Flagg, widely regarded as one of the best young talents in college basketball, has been the centerpiece of Duke’s success throughout the 2024-2025 season. The freshman forward has been a versatile and dynamic force on both ends of the floor, contributing with his scoring, rebounding, defense, and leadership. His unique combination of size, athleticism, and skill has made him a matchup nightmare for opposing teams, and his absence could significantly affect Duke’s chances of victory in the ACC Tournament.

Flagg’s injury occurred during a key stretch of Duke’s regular season and had led to some uncertainty surrounding his availability for the ACC Tournament. The nature of the injury, while not initially clear, had raised concerns among Duke fans and coaching staff alike. Would the Blue Devils be able to continue their strong tournament run without their star player?

In his pre-game press conference, Coach Jon Scheyer offered an update on Flagg’s condition, providing some much-needed clarity. “Cooper is doing everything he can to get back on the floor,” Scheyer explained. “He’s been working with our medical staff every day, and we’ve been monitoring his progress closely. Right now, he’s day-to-day, and we’re hopeful he’ll be able to go for tomorrow’s game. However, we’re going to be cautious and take it one step at a time.”

Scheyer’s cautious optimism reflected the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Flagg’s injury status. While the team had been optimistic about Flagg’s recovery, Scheyer emphasized that the decision would ultimately depend on how the freshman responded to treatment and how he felt heading into the game.

“Cooper’s health is our primary concern,” Scheyer added. “He’s a tremendous competitor, and he wants to be out there with his teammates. But we have to make sure he’s at 100% before he steps onto the court. If he’s not ready, we’re not going to rush him back.”

While Coach Scheyer was careful not to speculate too much, the uncertainty surrounding Flagg’s availability for the game against North Carolina added an extra layer of tension to an already high-stakes matchup. If Flagg were unable to play, it would place even more pressure on the remaining players to step up and fill the void left by the star forward. In particular, players like Jeremy Roach, Tyrese Proctor, and Kyle Filipowski would need to elevate their performances to ensure that Duke remained competitive against their rivals.

Maliq Brown’s Injury: Another Concern for Duke’s Frontcourt

Alongside Cooper Flagg’s injury, the status of another key Duke player, Maliq Brown, has become a significant talking point. Brown, a dynamic forward with the ability to contribute in a variety of ways, has been a crucial part of Duke’s rotation throughout the season. Known for his defensive prowess and rebounding ability, Brown provides Duke with depth in the frontcourt and plays an important role in the team’s defensive schemes.

Brown’s injury, which occurred in a recent game during the ACC Tournament, has raised questions about his availability for the matchup against North Carolina. While the specifics of the injury were not immediately clear, it was enough to place Brown’s participation in doubt. As one of Duke’s key frontcourt players, the prospect of missing Brown in this high-profile game was concerning, particularly considering how critical he is to Duke’s defensive and rebounding efforts.

Coach Scheyer addressed the media’s questions about Brown’s injury in his pre-game press conference, providing an update on the situation. “Maliq is another player who has been working hard to recover,” Scheyer stated. “He’s been battling through some soreness, and we’re continuing to evaluate his progress. He’s another day-to-day player for us, and we’re hoping to have him available for the game. However, just like with Cooper, we’re not going to put him at risk if he’s not fully ready.”

The absence of Maliq Brown would be a significant loss for Duke, particularly on the defensive end. Brown’s ability to guard multiple positions and his tenacity on the glass have made him a key piece of the Blue Devils’ frontcourt rotation. Without Brown, Duke would likely have to rely more heavily on Kyle Filipowski and smaller lineups, which could alter the team’s approach to the game.

Scheyer remained optimistic about the depth of his team, despite the potential absences of two key players. “We’ve got a lot of capable players who are ready to step up,” Scheyer said. “We’ve seen throughout the season that when one player goes down, others are more than capable of filling the gap. We’ll be ready, no matter who’s on the floor.”

Preparing for North Carolina: A Rivalry Like No Other

Regardless of whether Flagg and Brown were able to play, the upcoming game against North Carolina was always going to be a battle of epic proportions. The rivalry between Duke and North Carolina is one of the most storied and intense in all of college basketball, and the ACC Tournament only added to the stakes. With both teams vying for the title, the pressure to perform would be immense, and the absence of key players only heightened the tension.

North Carolina, led by a talented roster including standout players like Armando Bacot and Caleb Love, had their own motivations for securing the championship. The Tar Heels, who had shown resilience and talent throughout the season, were eager to add another chapter to the storied history of their program. In addition to their on-court talent, UNC also brought a passionate fanbase and an intense rivalry mentality, making them an incredibly dangerous opponent.

Coach Scheyer was fully aware of the challenge that awaited his team, regardless of who was available. “North Carolina is always a tough matchup, especially in a game like this,” Scheyer said. “We know they’re going to come out with everything they have, and we have to match that intensity. Whether or not we have Cooper or Maliq, we’re going to have to play smart, execute, and play as a team.”

Scheyer’s comments reflected the mindset Duke would need to adopt heading into the game. While the injuries to Flagg and Brown were significant, they would not deter the Blue Devils from giving everything they had to secure a victory. Duke had been through adversity before, and the team’s depth and collective willpower were some of their greatest assets.

The Importance of Depth: Next-Man-Up Mentality

With two key players potentially sidelined for the championship game, Duke’s depth would be put to the test. The next-man-up mentality would be crucial for the Blue Devils, as several players would need to elevate their performances and fill the void left by Flagg and Brown. This was not a new challenge for Duke, however, as the team had been forced to navigate injuries and lineup changes throughout the season.

Jeremy Roach, Duke’s veteran guard, would undoubtedly play a critical role in leading the team on both ends of the floor. Roach’s ability to score and distribute the ball would be key in keeping Duke’s offense flowing, while his leadership on defense would be essential in slowing down North Carolina’s potent offensive attack.

Tyrese Proctor, another freshman guard who had shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season, would also be expected to step up. Proctor’s ability to score in a variety of ways and his excellent ball-handling skills made him an important piece of Duke’s offensive scheme. Without Flagg, Proctor could be called upon to take on an even larger role in facilitating the offense and creating opportunities for his teammates.

In the frontcourt, Kyle Filipowski would need to shoulder a heavier load in the absence of Brown. Filipowski had already been one of the most consistent players for Duke all season, and his size and skill set would be crucial in both scoring and rebounding. His ability to stretch the floor as a shooting big man would give Duke an edge in spacing the floor and creating mismatches against the Tar Heels.