Cooper Flagg, Projected No. 1 Pick, Leaves Game In Wheelchair After Ankle Injury

Projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg's ankle injury sends shockwaves through Duke and the NBA world.

4 Min Read

Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, left Duke’s ACC Tournament quarterfinal game against Georgia Tech in a wheelchair after suffering a left ankle injury. The moment sent shockwaves through the college basketball world, with Duke fans and NBA scouts anxiously awaiting updates on his condition.

The injury occurred late in the first half when Flagg landed awkwardly while going up for a rebound. His foot appeared to come down on Georgia Tech’s Darrion Sutton’s foot, causing his ankle to roll. Flagg immediately grabbed his ankle and screamed in frustration, visibly in pain. 

He pounded a chair on the bench before being helped off the court by teammates and medical staff. Unable to put weight on his leg, Flagg was taken to the locker room and later seen in a wheelchair being transported for further examination.

Flagg’s absence loomed large over the game, as the top-seeded Blue Devils struggled offensively, missing their first 13 three-point attempts and trailing Georgia Tech 31-26 at halftime. However, the bigger concern was the status of their freshman phenom, who has been the driving force behind their dominance this season. 

Averaging 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 49.4% from the field and 37.7% from deep, Flagg has been nothing short of sensational. He was recently named ACC Player of the Year and ACC Rookie of the Year, solidifying himself as the best player in college basketball and the consensus No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.

Despite the initial panic, Flagg later returned to Duke’s bench at the start of the second half, giving fans a glimmer of hope. While he did not re-enter the game, the fact that he was not wearing a walking boot or using crutches suggested that the injury may not be as severe as it initially appeared. 

Duke has yet to provide an official diagnosis, but with March Madness right around the corner, all eyes will be on Flagg’s recovery and whether he will be ready for the NCAA Tournament.

From an NBA Draft standpoint, Flagg’s status as the No. 1 pick is unlikely to change. His skill set—a rare combination of elite defensive versatility, shot creation, and high basketball IQ—makes him too valuable to pass up, even if he were to miss time. 

Unless medical evaluations reveal a long-term concern, teams will still see him as a generational prospect. Even in a worst-case scenario where he is sidelined for an extended period, Flagg’s upside is so immense that he would likely still be taken first overall.

For Duke, the immediate concern is how they will manage without their star player. The Blue Devils have legitimate championship aspirations, but their success hinges on Flagg’s availability. If he is forced to miss any part of the NCAA Tournament, it would drastically alter the landscape of March Madness.

Flagg’s injury scare serves as a reminder of how fragile a team’s season can be, but for now, Duke and the NBA world will wait anxiously for further updates on the future No. 1 pick.

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support. 

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:
Share This Article
Follow:
Vishwesha Kumar is a staff writer for Fadeaway World from Bengaluru, India. Graduating with a Bachelor of Technology from PES University in 2020, Vishwesha leverages his analytical skills to enhance his sports journalism, particularly in basketball. His experience includes writing over 3000 articles across respected publications such as Essentially Sports and Sportskeeda, which have established him as a prolific figure in the sports writing community.Vishwesha’s love for basketball was ignited by watching LeBron James, inspiring him to delve deeply into the nuances of the game. This personal passion translates into his writing, allowing him to connect with readers through relatable narratives and insightful analyses. He holds a unique and controversial opinion that Russell Westbrook is often underrated rather than overrated. Despite Westbrook's flaws, Vishwesha believes that his triple-double achievements and relentless athleticism are often downplayed, making him one of the most unique and electrifying players in NBA history, even if his style of play can sometimes be polarizing. 
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *