Duke’s Cooper Flagg to Miss ACC Tournament After Ankle Injury

Duke freshman sensation Cooper Flagg is expected to miss the remainder of the ACC Tournament after suffering a left ankle injury during the Blue Devils’ quarterfinal victory over Georgia Tech. The injury occurred in the first half when Flagg came down awkwardly on another player’s foot while attempting a rebound, causing his ankle to twist.

With Duke entering the postseason with a stellar 29-3 record and a projected top seed in the NCAA Tournament, many anticipated that the coaching staff would err on the side of caution and hold Flagg out for the rest of the conference tournament.

Those suspicions were confirmed on Friday, when college basketball insider Adam Zagoria reported that Flagg will not suit up for Duke’s highly anticipated semifinal showdown with North Carolina. Even if the Blue Devils advance, sources suggest that Flagg is unlikely to return for the duration of the ACC Tournament.

Head coach Jon Scheyer emphasized the importance of protecting Flagg’s long-term health, telling The Athletic’s Brendan Marks, “Honestly, I’d need the entire locker room to convince me it’s worth putting him out there again before March Madness. It’s just not worth the risk.”

Flagg, who is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, leads Duke in all five major statistical categories. With him sidelined, the Blue Devils will rely heavily on their supporting cast to carry the load.

Despite the setback, Duke remains in prime position for the NCAA Tournament and is still forecasted to earn a No. 1 seed, with ESPN’s Joe Lunardi projecting them to top the East Region in Newark. Even without Flagg, Duke enters Friday’s rivalry matchup against UNC as 6.5-point favorites, according to ESPN BET.

Following the NBA Draft news, Tyrese Proctor’s mother has a clear message for Jon Scheyer.

The 2024-25 season was one to remember for the Duke Blue Devils

Under head coach Jon Scheyer’s leadership, Duke posted an impressive 35-4 record, capturing both the ACC regular season and tournament crowns, and advancing to the NCAA Final Four.

With a loaded lineup featuring stars like Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, Khaman Maluach, and Tyrese Proctor, the Blue Devils were stacked with talent. As the team prepares for a new chapter in 2025-26, Duke is expected to remain firmly in the national spotlight.

Scheyer’s reputation as a player-first coach only grew stronger this year. Flagg and Knueppel frequently praised his leadership and the culture he’s built in Durham. Tyrese Proctor, who recently declared for the NBA Draft, also shared his gratitude. His mother, Melissa Proctor, posted a touching message on social media: “So thankful for you Jon,” accompanied by two blue hearts.

Proctor wrapped up his Duke career averaging 12.4 points per game on 45.2% shooting. In the Final Four battle against Houston, he added seven points over 37 minutes.

Despite the departures of major contributors, Duke remains a strong contender entering next season. With 18 Final Four trips and five national titles — most recently in 2015 — the program’s elite status is well established.

Looking ahead, Duke welcomes a highly touted recruiting class led by twins Cameron and Cayden Boozer. However, filling the void left by Cooper Flagg won’t be easy. The freshman sensation averaged 19.2 points per game, including a 27-point effort in Duke’s semifinal loss, leaving a lasting legacy in just one season.