Duke star Cooper Flagg was noticed in a wheelchair to get additional examinations on his ankle after a scary fall in Duke’s ACC Match recreation towards Georgia Tech.
With just below three minutes remaining within the first half of Duke’s quarterfinal recreation, Flagg grabbed a rebound, landed awkwardly, fell laborious and instantly grabbed his ankle.
He was helped to his ft however wanted help from teammates to limp off the courtroom. From there, trainers helped Flagg get to the bowels of the stadium, the place he was positioned in a wheelchair with out his shoe to endure additional examinations on his leg harm in Duke’s locker room.
Flagg didn’t return to start out the second half for the Blue Devils, and there has but to be an official assertion on his harm standing. He was dominated out for the rest of Thursday afternoon’s recreation however returned to the bench within the second half and not using a boot, which was an encouraging sight for Duke followers in all places.
In fact, no matter severity, this harm is a serious blow for Duke. Flagg is a giant a part of its 28-3 file, and the anticipated No. 1 total NBA Draft choose was set to dazzle the nation throughout the NCAA Match starting subsequent weekend.
In his first collegiate season, Flagg averaged 19 factors per recreation, seven rebounds and 4 assists whereas capturing 49 % from the sphere. He’s been the engine behind what Duke does on either side of the basketball courtroom and the rationale why it’ll be a preferred choose to win March Insanity.
Duke’s regular-season dominance can have it as a No. 1 seed on this match. Many analysts anticipate the Blue Devils to be one of many groups remaining on this 12 months’s Remaining 4. But when their star ahead is unable to swimsuit up, their outlook may grow to be far more tough to challenge.
Faculty basketball followers in all places will probably be preserving their fingers crossed that one of many brightest stars within the recreation will probably be wholesome sufficient to compete in March Insanity.
With bracket swimming pools and bets on the road all through these subsequent few weeks, Flagg’s harm standing will probably be one to observe because the Blue Devils proceed by the ACC Match, Choice Sunday and in the end their first-round matchup towards whichever unlucky No. 16 seed will see them first.
