Maliq Brown injury update: Duke forward's status for second half vs. Virginia revealed

Maliq Brown will not return to Duke‘s game vs. Virginia after appearing to suffer an injury to his left arm in the first half.

Brown finished the game with two points, two assists and a rebound before heading to the locker room. He was previously held out for much of January nursing a knee injury, but has played in each of the last six games for the Blue Devils.

His previous injury, much like the one suffered on Monday, occured in the first half of Duke’s Jan. 11 matchup against Notre Dame. He only played one minute before having to leave. Brown collided with teammate Mason Gillis. It seemed as though Brown took the worse of the collision and ended up limping off the court. He’d try to warm up for the second half but was unable to return to the game.

The junior transfer from Syracuse is averaging 2.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game for the Blue Devils.

His best game of the season came against No. 1 Kansas back in November when he recorded 8 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists and 5 steals. Prior to coming to Duke, Maliq Brown spent two seasons at Syracuse. In 2023-24, Brown averaged 9.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.

Andraya Carter declares Duke the ‘best team right now’

Duke is 16-1 in its last 17 games and is widely considered one of the most complete teams in college basketball this season. Of course, at the forefront of the effort is true freshman superstar Cooper Flagg.

During ESPN College GameDay, the panel of Andraya Carter, Rece Davis, Jay Williams and Seth Greenberg debated which team was the best in the country. Of course, Auburn and Alabama were brought up but when Carter was tasked with revealing her perspective, she was firm in her assessment of the Blue Devils.

“I would say they’re the best team right now when they have Cooper Flagg, the weapons that they have, the defense that they play, the size that they have, and they have a superstar,” Carter said on ESPN College GameDay. “Going back to Cooper Flagg, I remember doing sideline when Duke had Paolo Banchero. He sweats a lot. He was always exhausted. It was something we talked about.

“He had a phenomenal NCAA Tournament. When it comes to Cooper Flagg in the NCAA Tournament, I’m not worried at all. I would say Duke has the edge right now.”