Duke's Cooper Flagg Cleared for NCAA Tournament After Ankle Injury
March Madness is heating up, and Duke fans can breathe a sigh of relief. Freshman sensation Cooper Flagg is officially good to go for the NCAA tournament after suffering a left ankle injury during the ACC tournament. The Blue Devils announced that Flagg will be in the starting lineup for their first-round matchup against Mount St. Mary’s, a crucial boost for a team with championship aspirations.
Flagg, projected as the potential No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, sustained the injury in the ACC quarterfinals against Georgia Tech. While securing a rebound, his ankle rolled, forcing him out of the game. The swelling was significant, and Duke's medical staff opted for caution, holding him out of the semifinal and championship games. Despite his absence, the Blue Devils battled through, overcoming a late push from North Carolina in the semis and defeating Louisville in the finals to claim the ACC title and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.
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Duke’s head coach, Jon Scheyer, emphasized that Flagg’s long-term health was the priority, stating it wasn’t worth the risk to push him back into the ACC tournament. Now, with some recovery time, Flagg is ready to return to the court.
This development isn’t much of a surprise, as NCAA senior vice president Dan Gavitt had already hinted before Selection Sunday that Duke expected Flagg to be available. Even without him, Duke's strong ACC tournament performance likely solidified their top seeding, and now they enter March Madness at full strength.
As a freshman, Flagg has been nothing short of outstanding, leading Duke in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks per game. He’s averaging 19 points and 7.5 rebounds, making him the centerpiece of Duke’s tournament hopes. His presence on the floor significantly increases the Blue Devils' chances of making a deep run in the tournament.
While Flagg is active, Duke might take a cautious approach in their opening game. The Blue Devils are heavy 32.5-point favorites over Mount St. Mary’s, and if they gain a comfortable lead, expect to see Flagg’s minutes managed carefully. The real test will come in later rounds when Duke faces tougher competition, and having Flagg at full strength will be essential.
With March Madness now in full swing, all eyes will be on Cooper Flagg as he takes the court for Duke’s championship run. The question remains: Can the Blue Devils ride their star freshman to another NCAA title? Fans won’t have to wait long to find out.
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