Maliq Brown was unable to participate in Duke basketball’s matchup against Incarnate Word on Tuesday at Cameron Indoor Stadium due to a toe injury, which leaves him listed as day-to-day. As one of the standout defenders for the fourth-ranked Blue Devils (8-2, 1-0 ACC), Brown has been contributing an average of 3.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.9 steals over the course of nine games.
Since transferring from Syracuse, Brown has established himself as a key asset in his first season at Duke. He previously showcased his potential by recording six points, 11 rebounds, and three steals during Duke’s 76-65 victory over Louisville in their ACC opener. Notably, he has achieved multiple steals in five out of the nine games played this season.
With Brown absent from the lineup, freshman Khaman Maluach capitalized on the extra playing time by delivering a career-best performance. He scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the Blue Devils’ commanding 72-46 win against Incarnate Word.
Head coach Jon Scheyer provided an update on Brown’s condition following the game, explaining, “We missed Maliq out there. He sprained his toe in the Louisville game. We’ve done all the imaging; everything checked out. He’s OK, just the toe, it can take a little bit of time. We hope to get him back as soon as possible.”
The Blue Devils will next return to Coach K Court for a contest against George Mason on December 17.
This situation showcases the depth and resilience of the Duke basketball team, as they are able to adapt and maintain their performance even with the absence of a key player like Brown. With hope for his speedy recovery, fans can look forward to his return and continued contributions to the team’s success this season.