Cooper Flagg's injury jeopardizes Duke's tournament chances

Duke's Cooper Flagg suffered a left ankle injury during the ACC tournament, leaving him in a wheelchair and out for the second half. X-rays showed a sprain, but his return for the semifinals is unlikely. Maliq Brown also sustained a shoulder injury. Duke's head coach indicated that Flagg's absence could affect the team's performance and NCAA tournament seeding. If Flagg cannot play, Duke may still retain a No. 1 seed, but losing in the semifinals could complicate their position. Flagg's injury raises questions about his impact on the Wooden Award race. His absence could influence voting, depending on how long he is sidelined. The situation remains uncertain as Duke prepares for the next stages of the tournament.