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In a blink, a storybook season can flip.
Against a Georgia Tech team oddsmakers and bettors alike thought Duke would throttle in its opening game of the ACC Tournament, the unthinkable happened.
First, defensive stalwart Maliq Brown re-aggravated a shoulder injury which had bothered him for weeks. Then, Wooden Award front-runner Cooper Flagg skied for a rebound and brutally wrenched his ankle upon landing.
[ Bracket Big Board: Brad Evans' latest NCAA Tournament projections ]
In visible pain, the Blue Devils’ roster centerpiece immediately exited the game, sat on the bench and was carried to the locker room at halftime, putting no weight on the flattened wheel. As he was rolled in a wheelchair down the hall for further evaluation, all of Durham surely sat in stone silence.
Damn you, dastardly injury imp. Damn you.
And, no, Flagg didn’t pull a Paul Pierce.
Cooper Flagg exited the game and was helped to the locker room after appearing to injure his left ankle in the first half against Georgia Tech. pic.twitter.com/EiUslVt0ZM
— ESPN (@espn) March 13, 2025
Flagg’s potential absence alters the math of the likely No. 1 seed’s Final Four chances. Entering the game against the Yellow Jackets, his 2.967 KenPom Player of the Year rating greatly outpaced Auburn’s Johni Broome.
Though Duke kicked it into high gear after halftime, beating Georgia Tech 78-70, the Blue Devils’ season very much hangs in the balance. The freshman sensation is irreplaceable. His outstanding ball skills, finishes at the rim, precise passes, 3-point splashes and plus defense are why he’s arguably the most valuable player in college basketball.
The good news: Flagg returned to the sideline in the second half sans boot. His ankle appeared swollen and wrapped, but he emerged from the bowels of the Spectrum Center in Charlotte walking on his own power.
With a full week before Duke takes the floor in the NCAA Tournament, Flagg has time to heal. Even if he missed the opening-round game against whatever No. 16 seed, Tyrese Proctor, Kon Knueppel, Sion James and Khaman Maluach have the necessary talent to carry the Blue to a postseason win or three.
Monitor the markets. If Final Four and/or national championship odds balloon on Jon Scheyer’s squad in the coming days, an investment may be warranted.
Duke may have dodged the deadliest bullet.