Duke’s national championship hopes took a massive hit on Thursday afternoon when star freshman Cooper Flagg suffered an ankle injury during the ACC Tournament quarterfinals against Georgia Tech.
The injury sent shockwaves through college basketball, with fans and analysts immediately speculating on how it could affect Duke’s postseason chances. Here’s what happened and how the basketball world reacted.
What Happened to Cooper Flagg?
With Duke trailing 26-17 late in the first half, Flagg elevated for a rebound following a missed Georgia Tech three-pointer. As he came down, his left ankle twisted awkwardly, sending him crashing to the floor in visible pain.
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 rolled around briefly, grabbing at his ankle before Duke teammates helped him to the bench. Frustrated, he punched a chair before being evaluated by trainers. Moments later, he was assisted off the court and taken to the locker room.
Shortly after, Duke ruled Flagg out for the remainder of the game.
Fans React to Cooper Flagg’s Injury
As soon as Flagg exited, social media exploded with reactions. Some Duke fans were in panic mode, while others across the college basketball landscape simply hoped the superstar would be ready for the NCAA Tournament.
One fan summed up the concern, tweeting:
“College hoops just took a gasp. Hope he’s okay for the tourney.”
Another rival fan, despite the Duke-UNC rivalry, showed respect:
“As a UNC fan, this sucks to see. Man was having one of the best freshman seasons in recent history. Hopefully, he’ll be OK.”
Others immediately speculated on Duke’s tournament future, wondering if this injury could derail their championship aspirations:
“Think he just rolled it, but Duke needs to hope it isn’t a bad sprain. If it’s bad and he isn’t 100%, they could get bounced in the second round by a team like UConn or Creighton.”
Meanwhile, the moment Flagg was seen leaving in a wheelchair, some feared the worst:
“Scary sight in Greensboro as Duke star Cooper Flagg left in a wheelchair after suffering an ankle injury.”
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The severity of Flagg’s injury is still unknown, and Duke has yet to provide an official update. With the NCAA Tournament just around the corner, the Blue Devils’ title hopes hinge on Flagg’s availability.
For now, Duke Nation holds its breath, hoping its superstar can return in time to chase a championship.
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