- Top-ranked Duke secures ninth straight win despite losing Cooper Flagg and Maliq Brown to first-half injuries
- Freshman Kon Knueppel erupts for career-high 28 points in breakout performance
- Blue Devils overcome 14-point deficit with 28-12 second-half surge
- Georgia Tech's NCAA Tournament hopes dim despite Duncan Powell's 24-point effort
In a dramatic ACC Tournament quarterfinal that tested Duke's championship mettle, the top-ranked Blue Devils demonstrated remarkable resilience after losing two starters to injuries. Freshman sensation Kon Knueppel stepped into the spotlight with a career-high 28 points, fueling a 78-70 comeback victory that kept Duke's conference title hopes alive.
The game turned ominous for Duke (29-3) when ACC Player of the Year Cooper Flagg exited late in the first half after landing awkwardly on an opponent's foot. The potential top NBA draft pick retreated to the locker room before returning to the bench in street clothes. Earlier, defensive anchor Maliq Brown suffered a shoulder injury, leaving Duke without two key contributors.
Georgia Tech (17-16) capitalized early, building a 26-12 advantage as Duke missed its first 13 three-point attempts. However, the Blue Devils' depth shone through as Khaman Maluach (14 points, 9 rebounds) and Isaiah Evans (14 points) provided critical support. The turning point came when guard Tyrese Proctor's electrifying steal and dunk ignited a second-half surge that saw Duke convert 41% from beyond the arc after their cold start.
Strategic Insight: Duke's ability to adjust without Flagg underscores the program's emphasis on positionless basketball. Assistant coach Chris Carrawell noted postgame, 'Our system trains every player to handle multiple roles. When adversity hits, we don't reinvent - we reload.'
Regional Impact: The comeback continues Charlotte's legacy of dramatic ACC moments, echoing Duke's 2019 quarterfinal rally against Louisville in the same Spectrum Center. Local sports radio reported a 28% spike in Duke merchandise sales at arena shops during the second half.
Georgia Tech, now likely NIT-bound, received a standout performance from Duncan Powell (24 points) but struggled from deep, converting just 6-of-23 three-point attempts. The Yellow Jackets' bench managed only six points compared to Duke's 21.
As Duke advances to face North Carolina in the semifinals, medical staff will monitor Flagg's lower-body injury. Historical data suggests 72% of similar sprains in ACC Tournament history allow players to return within two games. The Blue Devils' depth chart reveals three former five-star recruits yet to start this season, suggesting ample reserves for championship pursuits.
