2025 ACC Tournament: No. 1 Duke beats Louisville 73-62 to win its 23rd ACC tourney

Duke coach Jon Scheyer is readying to play either North Carolina or Wake Forest without two key players, including star freshman Cooper Flagg.

Flagg appears to have injured his ankle in the first half Thursday against Georgia Tech. Duke later confirmed that he suffered a sprained ankle.

That's good news for Duke. The injury could have been more serious.

Still, it's a "real long shot" that Flagg plays in Friday's ACC Tournament semifinals, Scheyer said.

"It isn't about being ready to go tomorrow," Scheyer said, and he noted that the important thing was getting Flagg healthy for an NCAA tournament run.

Scheyer also gave an update on Maliq Brown, who sustained a left-shoulder injury in the first half. Brown re-dislocated his shoulder and was taken to a Charlotte-area hospital. Scheyer said he was going to visit Brown later Thursday.

Kon Knueppel scored 28 points as No. 1 Duke overcame injuries to star Cooper Flagg and Maliq Brown to beat Georgia Tech 78-70 on Thursday and advance to the ACC Tournament semifinals.

Isaiah Evans scored 14 points on four 3-pointers and Khaman Maluach added 14 points and nine rebounds for the Blue Devils (29-3), who have won nine straight.

• Box Score

Flagg appeared to land awkwardly on Baye Ndongo's foot as he came down with a rebound late in the first half. The ACC player of the year retreated to the Duke bench and punched a seat in frustration. After being helped to the locker room, Flagg returned to the Duke bench in the second half without a boot on his foot. He did not return to the game.

Brown went down with a shoulder injury in the first half.

Duncan Powell led Georgia Tech (17-16) with 24 points.

Duke missed its first 13 shots from beyond the arc and fell behind 26-12, matching the season's largest deficit. They trailed 26-17 when Flagg left the game, but cut the lead to five at halftime. Duke pushed its lead to seven early in the second half when Tyrese Proctor stole a pass and delivered a high-flying one-handed dunk in transition.

Duke outscored the Yellow Jackets' bench 21-6.

The Blue Devils showed they have some firepower without Flagg and Brown on the court. After missing its first 13 3s, Duke went 7 of 17 the rest of the way.

Duke will face the winner of North Carolina vs. Wake Forest on Friday.

The Associated Press contributed.

Duke star player Cooper Flagg appears to have injured his ankle in the first half of the ACC Tournament game against Georgia Tech.

He hobbled to the bench after going up for a rebound and crashed to the floor after he appeared to have his left foot land on the foot of a Georgia Tech player. Flagg hobbled back to the bench.

After sitting on the bench for a few minutes, Flagg got up and put his arms around two teammates and was taken to the locker room for observation.

In addition to Flagg's injury, Maliq Brown injured his left shoulder in the first half. Duke Men's Basketball posted on social media that Brown is out for the rest of the game and Flagg is doubtful to return with a left ankle injury.

Georgia Tech leads Duke at the half, 31-26.

The Men's 2025 ACC Tournament is being played in Charlotte, N.C.

The Associated Press contributed to this story

Chuck Harris and Matt Cross scored 12 points apiece and sixth-seeded SMU beat No. 14 seed Syracuse 73-53 on Wednesday night in the second round of the ACC Tournament.

SMU (23-9) advances to play third-seeded Clemson in a quarterfinal matchup on Thursday.

Boopie Miller and backup Keon Ambrose-Hylton each scored 10 points for the Mustangs who shot 53.2% (25 for 47).

J.J. Starling scored 16 points and Jyare Davis 14 for Syracuse (14-19).

The Mustangs' win was in stark contrast to their March 4 home win over Syracuse when they led for only 1:28 and needed a tip-in from Ambrose-Hylton with 2.9 seconds left to seal a 77-75 win.