Cooper Flagg, Nursing Sprained Ankle, Unlikely to Play Again in ACC Tournament

The Duke forward was hurt during the Blue Devils’ win over Georgia Tech Thursday.

Cooper Flagg's status for the rest of the ACC tournament is in doubt. / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

No. 2 Duke may have topped Georgia Tech 78–70 in an ACC tournament quarterfinal Thursday, but it lost its centerpiece in forward Cooper Flagg.

Flagg sprained his ankle during the contest, ending his afternoon with just two points and four rebounds. Blue Devils coach Jon Scheyer confirmed the nature of the injury after the game, and told reporters including Sports Illustrated’s Bryan Fischer that Flagg was unlikely to play again in the ACC tournament.

"I am going to have to be convinced by everybody in the locker room that he should go back and play," Scheyer said.

Scheyer confirmed after Duke's close 74-71 win over UNC in the ACC semifinal on Friday that Flagg won't compete in the Blue Devils' title game on Saturday. Scheyer said Flagg's injury is a "good sprain," via Fischer. His status for the NCAA tournament next week is unknown at this time.

Flagg, who is expected to be the first pick in June's NBA draft, had to be helped off the floor and was later seen in a wheelchair.

Scheyer says it's a long shot Flagg plays the rest of the ACC tourney: "I am going to have to be convinced by everybody in the locker room that he should go back and play."

— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) March 13, 2025

The ACC Player of the Year is averaging 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season.

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