Cooper Flagg suffered an ankle injury in Duke’s 2025 ACC tournament opener, and was sidelined the rest of the conference tournament. Flagg’s injury status and availability will be the biggest story heading into the 2025 men’s NCAA tournament, but Duke reportedly provided some clarity to the Selection Committee before taking on Louisville in the ACC championship game.
Duke gives Cooper Flagg injury update to March Madness Selection Committee
Cooper Flagg missed the ACC tournament with an ankle injury, but Duke reportedly indicated he’ll be good to go for the NCAA tournament.
Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
Dan Gavitt, the SVP of basketball for the NCAA, told CBS Duke indicted Flagg will be ready to go for the NCAA tournament. With Duke in line for a No. 1 seed, the question now becomes whether the super freshman will be in the lineup for the Blue Devils’ tournament opener against a No. 16 seed.
Flagg exited Duke’s ACC tournament opener against Georgia Tech after suffering a sprained ankle while grabbing a rebound in the first half. Flagg was seen in a wheelchair as he went to the locker room, but returned to the floor where he was standing and cheering on his teammates. Flagg did not return to the game as the Blue Devils defeated Georgia Tech.
After the game, Duke coach Jon Scheyer said Flagg’s x-rays were negative. He said Flagg has a sprain, and Duke will monitor the swelling in his ankle. Scheyer said it was unlikely Flagg plays again in the ACC tournament.
Duke was trailing by nine points late in the first half when Flagg went down. This is a terrifying injury for the Blue Devils as they prepare to enter the 2025 men’s NCAA tournament as a No. 1 seed and perhaps the biggest favorite to win the national championship. Watch the play that Flagg was injured on here:
Flagg was initially in a wheelchair as he examined by team trainers. He eventually walked back onto the floor to cheer on his teammates from the bench:
Flagg was not in a walking boot on the bench, which is seen as an encouraging sign.
Ankle injuries are no fun for basketball players. If Flagg is ruled to have a Grade 1 sprain, he could be out a week or two. If it’s a Grade 2 sprain, he would be looking at three weeks or more on the shelf, which would likely end his college career.
The NCAA tournament needs Flagg. Here’s hoping the Blue Devils’ super freshman and projected No. 1 overall NBA draft pick can get back on the floor soon.
See More:
