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.
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.
Dan Gavitt just said on CBS that Duke/the ACC have communicated to the selection committee that Cooper Flagg will be available for the NCAA tournament.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) March 15, 2025
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.
Maliq Brown redislocated his shoulder and is at the hospital right now.
Cooper Flagg’s x-rays were negative, Jon Scheyer called it a sprain and said that they’ll have to monitor the swelling at this point.
— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) March 13, 2025
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:
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 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.
ESPN broadcast just said Cooper Flagg is ruled out today, but he’s back on the bench still with his shoes on and no boot. pic.twitter.com/cd5qDiX0hI
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod (@big_business_) March 13, 2025
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.
