Blue Devil Country

Cooper Flagg Slip-Up Costs Duke Basketball in Crunch Time at Clemson

Duke basketball recorded its first loss since two days before Thanksgiving.
Matt Giles|
Duke basketball forward Cooper Flagg at Clemson
Duke basketball forward Cooper Flagg at Clemson | Ken Ruinard-Imagn Images

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Duke Blue Devils

With 6:05 to play in the 77-71 Duke basketball road loss to the Clemson Tigers (19-5, 11-2 ACC) on Saturday night, the No. 2-ranked Blue Devils (20-3, 12-1 ACC) had received only four points from rookie centerpiece Cooper Flagg. The projected No. 1 draft pick was shooting 2-for-11 from the field.

ALSO READ: Duke Forward Remains Out Versus Clemson

At the time, Duke faced a daunting 59-54 deficit in Littlejohn Coliseum. So, Flagg fired up his bucket-finding factory, knocking down a pair of free throws, draining a three under a minute later, and sinking a smooth jumper to give the Blue Devils a 64-63 advantage at the 3:23 mark.

Responding to a 4-0 Clemson run just over a minute later, Flagg swished another from downtown to tie the score at 67-67.

Answering another Tigers triple on their ensuing possession, the 18-year-old Maine native flew into the lane for a huge offensive rebound, drawing a foul and hitting one of two attempts at the charity stripe, all while dealing with cramping in his calves.

With 58 ticks remaining and the Blue Devils trailing by two at 70-68, Flagg launched from long distance yet again, drilling the "trifecta" in front of ESPN legend Dick Vitale in his return to the broadcast stage.

That put the Blue Devils on top, 71-70, while trying to cement their 17th straight win behind the freshman sensation's clutch brilliance.

However, 14 seconds later, Clemson's Chase Hunter delivered a difficult layup to hand Flagg & Co. a 72-71 deficit. Duke graduate guard Sion James missed in traffic, and Tigers big man Viktor Lakhin's 1-for-2 clip at the foul line with 21 seconds to play padded the home team's lead at 73-71.

After Jon Scheyer directed his unit during a Duke timeout, Cooper Flagg drove to the hoop but slipped on the court and fell on his back near the baseline, resulting in a travel violation with 14.7 seconds left on the clock — all eerily similar to the Blue Devils' only two other losses to date back in November.

A pair of free throws on the other end by Clemson's Chase Hunter gave the Tigers a 75-71 lead with 14.0 remaining.

Hunter then blocked Duke junior guard Tyrese Proctor's aggressive driving attempt with 7.9 ticks left and sealed the upset with two more swished freebies.

Clemson fans stormed the court:

Duke basketball will look to bounce back when the Blue Devils host the Cal Golden Bears (12-12, 5-8 ACC) at 9 p.m. ET Wednesday (ACC Network).

ALSO READ: Jon Scheyer Sizzles at Clemson in Duke Trust Game

Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more Duke basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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