Maliq Brown injury update: Jon Scheyer reveals diagnosis for Duke forward

Maliq Brown suffered a dislocated shoulder during Monday night’s 80-62 win over Virginia, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer revealed.

Brown will undergo imaging on his shoulder tonight to help determine the extent of the dislocation. He finished with two points, two assists and a rebound being going down with the injury during the first half. Brown was unable to return to Monday’s matchup.

“He’s a big loss for us,” Scheyer said postgame.

This blow to the Blue Devils’ lineup comes just six games after he returned from nursing a knee injury for much of January. He was injured against Notre Dame on Jan. 11 and wasn’t able to return until the Feb. 1 win over North Carolina.

The junior transfer from Syracuse is averaging 2.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game for the Blue Devils. He notably scored 8 points, one rebound, two assists and five steals against then-No. 1 Kansas in November.

With the injury occuring so late in the season, it remains to be seen how long Brown will be sidelined for, or if he’ll be able to return before the Blue Devils’ postseason run.

Prior to coming to Duke, Brown spent two seasons at Syracuse. In 2023-24, Brown averaged 9.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game before hitting the transfer portal.

While they were without Brown for the majority of the matchup, Monday night’s win over Virginia pushed Duke to 23-3 (15-1, Big Ten) on the season and keeps them in sole possession of first place in the current conference standings.

As Brown begins his recovery, Duke will have to move forward for its final five-game stretch of the regular season. They’re set to travel to Illinois for a Saturday night matchup on FOX, and will stay on the road to round out the month of February against Miami.

Duke returns home on March 1 to host Florida State, and will be in Durham again on Monday night for another 48-hour turnaround to play Wake Forest. The Blue Devils will wrap up their 2024-25 regular seaon on the road aginst North Carolina.

The 87-70 win over UNC on Feb. 1 saw Brown play 16 minutes in his return, scoring two points and hauling in three rebounds en route to his team’s victory. It remains to be seen whether or not he’ll be able to suit up for the rematch as Duke looks to sweep the season series.