The Duke Blue Devils showcased another dominant performance on Saturday night, crushing Florida State 100-65. But one of the biggest moments of the game came in the first half when Cooper Flagg went down with an eye injury, briefly leaving fans and teammates concerned.
Despite the scare, the star freshman returned for the second half, proving once again why he’s considered one of the toughest and most exciting players in college basketball.
Cooper Flagg’s Scary Moment in the First Half
Early in the game, Cooper Flagg was driving toward the basket when he was fouled hard by Florida State’s Jerry Deng. In the process, 7-foot freshman Alier Maluk also made contact, unintentionally striking Flagg in the face.
The 6-foot-9 phenom immediately grabbed his eye and walked off the court with help from teammate Mason Gillis and Duke’s trainer, Jose Fonseca. At that point, Duke was leading 14-11, and uncertainty loomed over whether their star freshman would return.
He initially remained on the bench, receiving medical attention for what appeared to be a cut on his face. But after sitting out for more than 11 minutes, Cooper Flagg exited the gym for further evaluation. He later reappeared on the bench but did not join the team huddle during timeouts. Instead, he watched from the sidelines, cheering on his teammates as Duke built a commanding lead.
By halftime, the Blue Devils led 47-30, but the biggest question was whether Flagg would return to the court.
Cooper Flagg Makes a Gritty Comeback
As the second half began, Cooper Flagg made his way back onto the floor, showing no hesitation in getting back to work.
“He was beat up and scratched up,” said teammate Sion James. “But Cooper is one of the toughest guys I’ve ever played with. I trusted that if he was all right, he’d be back. And he was back, better than ever.”
Flagg wasted no time making an impact, scoring key buckets and playing his usual tenacious defense. He finished the game with 16 points on an efficient 5-for-9 shooting, adding six rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Coach Scheyer’s Reaction to the Injury
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer, who personally knows the dangers of eye injuries from his own playing career, admitted he was initially concerned.
“As a basketball player, you don’t think about injuring your eye,” Scheyer said. “That doesn’t cross your mind. I had never seen Cooper Flagg look scared before, but in that moment, I think he was, and rightfully so. You don’t know how serious it is.”
Luckily, after testing his vision, Flagg was cleared to play in the second half.
“He’s so tough,” Scheyer added. “His mom was yelling at him to rebound and defend if he was going back in, so I didn’t have to say much.”
Duke’s Depth Shines Despite Injuries
Duke was already dealing with injuries to key players. Starting point guard Tyrese Proctor was out with a knee injury, and backup forward Maliq Brown was also sidelined. That made Cooper Flagg’s return even more crucial.
His teammate Kon Knueppel admitted he was surprised to see Flagg back in action.
“To see him go down and stay down, that worried us a little,” Knueppel said. “But then, he comes back like nothing happened. That’s just Cooper Flagg for you.”
For James, the moment only added to Flagg’s growing legend.
“That’s not even the craziest thing we’ve seen him do this year,” James said. “We’ve seen him do way crazier things. That’s what makes him who he is.”
Flagg’s Performance & Duke’s Dominance
Even after missing a big chunk of the first half, Cooper Flagg still delivered one of his signature all-around performances. His presence alone seemed to ignite Duke’s second-half surge, as the Blue Devils outscored Florida State 53-35 after the break.
Here’s a look at Flagg’s final stat line:
- 16 points (5-for-9 FG)
- 6 rebounds
- 4 assists
- 2 steals
Duke’s offense was clicking on all cylinders, and their defense forced 14 turnovers while holding Florida State to just 38.6% shooting.
Cooper Flagg’s Growing Legacy
Already considered a future No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick, Cooper Flagg continues to impress with his versatility, toughness, and leadership. Earlier this week, he set an ACC record by earning his 11th Rookie of the Week award—a testament to his consistency and dominance.
With March Madness fast approaching, his ability to battle through adversity only strengthens Duke’s case as a national championship contender.
As the Blue Devils gear up for their final stretch of the season, one thing is clear—Cooper Flagg is a game-changer, and his resilience was on full display in Duke’s latest victory.
Final Stats: Duke 100, Florida State 65
- Duke: 43.8% FG (32/73), 26.7% 3PT (8/30), 49 rebounds, 17 assists, 4 turnovers
- Florida State: 38.6% FG (22/57), 33.3% 3PT (7/21), 32 rebounds, 8 assists, 14 turnovers
Key Individual Performances:
- Isaiah Evans: 19 points, 2 rebounds
- Cooper Flagg: 16 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals
- Kon Knueppel: 14 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists
- Khaman Maluach: 14 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks
What’s Next for Duke?
With another dominant win under their belt, the Blue Devils are proving they are ready for a deep postseason run. And with Cooper Flagg leading the way, there’s no doubt this team has championship aspirations.
The next few weeks will be crucial as Duke aims for a top seed in the NCAA Tournament. If Flagg and the Blue Devils keep playing at this level, they’ll be a force to be reckoned with come March.