Cooper Flagg, Maliq Brown injury update for Duke basketball vs UNC at ACC Tournament
In the 2025 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Tournament, the Duke Blue Devils faced significant challenges as key players Cooper Flagg and Maliq Brown suffered injuries that threatened their postseason aspirations. Despite these setbacks, Duke clinched the ACC Championship, underscoring the team’s resilience and depth.
Cooper Flagg’s Ankle Injury
Cooper Flagg, the ACC Player of the Year and a projected top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, sustained a left ankle injury during Duke’s quarterfinal victory over Georgia Tech. Flagg exited the game after landing awkwardly and was seen in a wheelchair en route for further evaluation. X-rays revealed no structural damage, but he was sidelined for the subsequent games against North Carolina in the semifinals and Louisville in the championship.
Duke’s head coach, Jon Scheyer, expressed optimism about Flagg’s recovery, stating, “I think it’s trending in a great way where Cooper will be ready to go right away in the NCAA Tournament.” citeturn0search0 This sentiment was echoed by Dan Gavitt, the NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball, who confirmed that communications indicated Flagg would be available for March Madness.
Maliq Brown’s Shoulder Injury
Maliq Brown, a vital defensive asset for Duke, re-injured his left shoulder during the quarterfinals against Georgia Tech. He exited the game in considerable pain and was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation. Scheyer noted, “Maliq was in a lot of pain. He re-dislocated his shoulder. We got him a stretcher just to tolerate the pain. He’s in a lot of pain. He’s at the hospital now.”
The severity of Brown’s injury cast doubt on his availability for the NCAA Tournament. Scheyer commented, “It’s too early to say whether [Brown] will make it back at all.” He added that Brown was taken to a nearby hospital after dislocating his left shoulder again less than a week after returning from the injury.
Duke’s Performance Amidst Injuries
Despite the absence of Flagg and Brown, Duke demonstrated remarkable resilience. In the semifinal against North Carolina, the Blue Devils secured a 74-71 victory. The game was tightly contested, with Duke nearly losing a 24-point halftime lead. A critical moment occurred when UNC’s Jae’Lyn Withers committed a lane violation in the final seconds, ensuring Duke’s narrow win.
In the championship game against Louisville, Duke clinched a 73-62 victory, marking their 23rd ACC tournament title. Tyrese Proctor led with 19 points, while Kon Knueppel, named tournament MVP, added 18 points. Sion James contributed 15 points, and Khaman Maluach’s performance, including 8 points and 10 rebounds, also aided the victory. Duke’s strong second-half performance, including a 12-0 run, was crucial for the win.
