Duke Faces Louisville in ACC Final Without Star Player Cooper Flagg

The Blue Devils hope to secure the ACC title and a top NCAA Tournament seed despite Flagg's ankle injury.

Duke's Cooper Flagg, the ACC Player of the Year and projected top NBA draft pick, is sidelined with an ankle injury sustained during the ACC quarterfinals.
Flagg is expected to recover in time for the NCAA Tournament, according to NCAA officials and Duke's coaching staff.
The Blue Devils (30-3) take on Louisville (27-6) in the ACC Championship game, with tipoff scheduled for 8:30 PM ET at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC.
Louisville's senior guard Chucky Hepburn and Duke's freshman guard Kon Knueppel are expected to play key roles in the matchup, with both teams vying for the ACC title and NCAA Tournament positioning.
Duke defeated Louisville 76-65 earlier this season, but Flagg's absence introduces uncertainty as the Blue Devils aim for their 23rd ACC tournament championship.