Duke Star Cooper Flagg Injures Ankle, Leaves Game In Wheelchair

12:19 PM PT -- Take a deep breath, everybody -- Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer updated reporters on Flagg's status after the game ... saying he suffered a sprained ankle and X-rays came back negative.

10:32 AM PT -- Duke fans can exhale at least a little bit ... Cooper Flagg just walked gingerly back onto the floor to join his teammates on the bench.

While it seems unlikely he returns to action Thursday -- it's obviously a positive sign that he's now moving around under his own power.

Look away, Blue Devils fans ... Cooper Flagg just hurt his ankle -- and based on how he needed a wheelchair to maneuver around after suffering the injury, Duke faithful should be holding its collective breath.

The 6-foot-9 18-year-old -- who many believe is a lock to be the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft later this year -- sustained the ailment in the first half of Duke's ACC Tournament quarterfinal matchup with Georgia Tech.

He went up for a rebound ... but when he came down, he badly rolled his ankle. He crumpled to the floor in pain -- and after needing assistance from teammates to get off the court, he was later seen being pushed around in a wheelchair.

So far, the team's given no update on his condition -- other than announcing he's doubtful to return to the tilt vs. the Yellow Jackets -- but if he were to miss any sort of extended time going forward, it could be catastrophic for Duke's title hopes.