Duke basketball star Cooper Flagg thrilled the crowd at Cameron Indoor Stadium as he delivered a dazzling performance, scoring a remarkable 42 points in the Blue Devils’ 86-78 victory over Notre Dame. The gifted freshman, who is considered a top prospect for the 2025 NBA Draft, set a new single-game record for an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) freshman and fell just short of a triple-double, with seven assists and six rebounds, marking Duke’s tenth successive win.
Flagg reached the 30-point milestone with over 11 minutes remaining in the match, showcasing his scoring prowess by making a career-high four three-pointers and converting 16 of 17 free throw attempts. His performance peaked with two pivotal free throws in the closing seconds that brought his tally to 42 points, much to the delight of the Cameron Crazies, who had been urging him on throughout the game.
Support came from Khaman Maluach, who contributed 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Kon Knueppel, who added 13 points and 5 assists, further solidifying the team’s success. Flagg’s improvements in shooting mechanics have dispelled early-season concerns about his outside shooting, as he has found a rhythm, hitting 54.5% of his threes in recent games.
Additionally, Khaman Maluach’s performance continues to rise, solidifying his role as both a rim protector and a scoring threat. Duke’s head coach Jon Scheyer added some drama to the contest by receiving a technical foul after an animated reaction to a charge called on Flagg, marking just the second technical of his coaching tenure.
This impressive win keeps the fourth-ranked Blue Devils at the top of their game as they look ahead, fostering optimism for their pursuit of a sixth national championship. Flagg’s extraordinary talent and the deep bench’s contributions signal that Duke is poised for further success in the ACC and beyond.