Duke’s Maliq Brown Leaves Game with Shoulder Injury

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — No. 3 Duke men’s basketball faced Virginia on Monday in the John Paul Jones Arena, leading 43-29 at halftime. However, the Blue Devils’ momentum was interrupted by the loss of forward Maliq Brown to a shoulder injury during the first half.

Brown played 10 minutes before the injury occurred when he deflected a pass with his left arm at the 1:21 mark. He immediately grabbed his arm and exited the game, walking into the tunnel with Duke athletic trainer Jose Fonseca. Although he did not return to play, Brown was spotted on the bench in the second half with his arm in a sling.

Throughout the season, Brown has been a key component of Duke’s defense, leading the team with 119 deflections and recording 30 steals, second on the squad. His 6-foot-9 frame allows Duke to effectively switch defenses, and he has also contributed as an underrated passer, notching multiple assists in eight games. Brown previously missed a game on Dec. 10 against Incarnate Word due to a toe injury and sat out four games in January because of a knee sprain.

The match against Virginia marked Duke’s return to a venue where they suffered a 69-62 overtime loss two years ago. This time, Duke established an early lead, driven by sharp shooting from beyond the arc. The Blue Devils shot 75% from three-point range in the first half, aided by Kon Knueppel and Isaiah Evans, who combined for five of the team’s eleven three-pointers. The Cavaliers also found success from deep, with Andrew Rohde and Isaac McKneely contributing two three-pointers each.

Duke’s offensive cohesiveness was notable as seven players scored in the first half. The Blue Devils dominated the boards, out-rebounding the Cavaliers 24-8, which led to 14 second-chance points. Virginia made a strong start, finishing the first four minutes with impressive plays, including an early dunk by Blake Buchanan. However, Duke responded with a 16-2 run to shift the momentum in their favor.

Once Evans entered the game, he quickly found his rhythm, sinking three consecutive three-pointers after substituting in with just over ten minutes left in the half. This performance was a welcome turnaround for the Fayetteville native, who had only accumulated five points across his last three games.

Duke intends to keep their winning streak alive as they navigate the challenges of the season, awaiting updates on Brown’s condition following his injury. As they press forward, head coach Jon Scheyer emphasized the importance of player health amidst their pursuit of the championship.