Injuries Challenge Duke and Alabama Ahead of Sweet 16 Showdowns

NEWARK, N.J. — As Duke and Alabama prepare for their Sweet 16 matchups Thursday night at the Prudential Center, both teams are grappling with injuries to key players that could impact their March Madness runs.

Duke coach Jon Scheyer provided an update on forward Maliq Brown, who has been sidelined since March 13 due to a shoulder injury. Surprisingly, Scheyer indicated there’s a possibility Brown could play against Arizona. “It’s day-to-day with Maliq, and there’s a chance he could be available tomorrow night,” he said. Brown has averaged 2.6 points and 3.9 rebounds this season.

Alabama coach Nate Oats also updated the status of senior forward Grant Nelson, who is recovering from a left knee injury sustained during the SEC Tournament. Nelson, who averages 11.7 points and 7.5 rebounds, initially played a limited role off the bench in Alabama’s first-round victory over Robert Morris. “I talked to Grant,” Oats shared. “He says he was at 90 percent, but then his point was I’ve been at 90 percent most of the year. I don’t know who is at 100 percent at this point of the year. … Grant is pretty healthy. Not 100 percent but close enough.”

Oats expressed optimism about having a full roster available for their Sweet 16 matchup. “We’ve got everything about as close to 100 as you’re going to be able to get at this point of the year,” Oats said. “Grant is probably the furthest from that, but like he made the point to me, he hasn’t been better than 90 for the last month or so.”

The stakes are high as the NCAA Tournament progresses, and injuries may prove pivotal. Teams like Texas Tech have shown resilience despite not being at full strength, while others like Iowa State have been affected negatively by player absences.

One key player to watch is Auburn’s Aidan Baker-Mazara, who has been dealing with a hip contusion after taking a hard fall during a second-round game against Creighton. He is expected to recover in time for Auburn’s Sweet 16 clash with Michigan. “He appeared fine and in good spirits in the locker room following the game, and he has four days to heal,” sources indicate.

Additionally, Texas Tech’s rim protector, Cardwell, is expected to be fit after suffering a leg injury earlier in the tournament. On the other hand, Duke’s Cooper Flagg is confirmed active after recovering from a sprained left ankle.

As teams navigate injuries, the impacts of these decisions will play out dramatically during the tournament. The playoffs are heating up, and the race toward the final rounds of March Madness is on.