Duke HC provides major update on Cooper Flagg's injury, status

No Cooper Flagg, no problem. Duke was still able to beat bitter rival North Carolina in the ACC Tournament semifinals. The 18-year-old freshman injured his ankle earlier this week against Georgia Tech.

Duke was still able to win and advance to the ACC title game. Despite an extra day's rest, Flagg won't be able to suit for Duke in the conference championship game.

"He's doing better," head coach Jon Scheyer said, per ESPN's David Hale. "All the imaging came back negative, but he sprained it pretty good. It's a good sprain. I'm not breaking any news. He's not going to play [Saturday]."

Does that mean he's out for the NCAA Tournament? No.

"Our goal is to have him ready for the tournament," Scheyer said. " But we need to see how this weekend goes with the swelling and what he can do."

Flagg being healthy for the Big Dance is much more important.

Duke is a real contender to win a championship this season, but it will need Flagg to do so. Rushing him back would be a mistake.

Over the next few days, more information about the status of Flagg should be revealed. Again, as long as he's back by the first or second round of the NCAA Tournament, Duke should feel great about its chances to make a deep push.