ATLANTA — The issue of cramping continues to trouble the young Duke basketball team. During the match against Kentucky on Tuesday night, Cooper Flagg managed to finish the game, delivering an impressive performance with 26 points and 12 rebounds in a tightly contested 77-72 defeat. However, his fellow freshman, Khaman Maluach, was sidelined by cramping issues, similar to what Flagg had experienced earlier.
Maluach encountered cramping in the first half and was able to participate in only 23 minutes of play. He recorded 10 points, shooting perfectly with 5-of-5 from the field, alongside seven rebounds and two blocks. Coach Jon Scheyer commented on the situation, stating, “I think we were up nine when Khaman started cramping in the first half. I think part of it is we have young bodies. We need to really help these guys. We’re not just trying to ease them into it; we need both Cooper and Khaman to contribute significantly.”
Flagg, only 17 years old and viewed as a potential top pick in the upcoming NBA draft, had already shown signs of cramping in Duke’s first two games this season, both of which ended in victories. This led Scheyer to express frustration towards his coaching staff regarding their failure to have Flagg in peak physical condition. Despite these concerns not affecting Flagg during the game against Kentucky, he seemed to struggle in the closing minute, committing two turnovers that allowed the Wildcats to secure their win.
“I wish I could say I didn’t feel fatigued,” Flagg admitted when asked about his condition in those final moments. “I definitely felt it a bit but tried my best to push through.” In addition to the concerns about Maluach, Duke also lost a more seasoned player during the game. Graduate guard Sion James hit the floor hard after colliding with a screen and appeared to suffer a right shoulder injury, managing only four points in 13 minutes of play.
Scheyer remarked on James’s situation, stating, “I’m unsure about his status at the moment. He took a significant hit on that screen, and we will have him evaluated. Both James and Maluach are crucial to our success.” The Blue Devils’ struggle with cramps is not unprecedented; Paolo Banchero faced similar challenges during his freshman year but overcame them to lead Duke to the Final Four, eventually becoming the first overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft.