Top-ranked Duke played without Cooper Flagg and Maliq Brown in its win against rival North Carolina in the Atlantic Conference Tournament because of injuries.

Kon Knueppel scored 28 points as No. 1 Duke overcame injuries to star Cooper Flagg and Maliq Brown to beat Georgia Tech 78-70 and advance to the ACC Tournament semifinals.

Duke coach Jon Scheyer says it’s a “real long shot” that freshman star Cooper Flagg will be able to play in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament semifinals because of an ankle sprain.

Maliq Brown stepped up in No. 2 Duke's win at rival North Carolina that clinched the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title.

Freshman star Cooper Flagg had 17 points and 14 rebounds, notching his seventh double-double of the season before halftime, as No. 3 Duke cruised past Virginia 80-62.

Kansas center Hunter Dickinson was ejected midway through the second half of the top-ranked Jayhawks’ game against No. 11 Duke for kicking the Blue Devils’ Maliq Brown in the head.