Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Injury Report: Top Defender Set to Return

As it turns out, Duke basketball junior newcomer Maliq Brown missed only one game with a toe injury.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball forward Maliq Brown
Duke basketball forward Maliq Brown / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
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Maliq Brown sat out the Duke basketball squad's 72-46 home victory over the Incarnate Word Cardinals last Tuesday night. At the time, although third-year Blue Devil head coach Jon Scheyer told the media following the game that there was no timetable for his return to action, the fact that the 6-foot-9, 222-pound junior forward wasn't wearing a boot sure seemed like an encouraging sign.

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Evidently, it was.

Roughly two hours ahead of tipoff between the No. 5-ranked Duke Blue Devils (8-2, 1-0 ACC) and the visiting George Mason Patriots (7-3, 0-0 Atlantic 10) in Cameron Indoor Stadium at 7 p.m. ET Tuesday (ACC Network), Duke basketball confirmed that Brown is officially "IN" for the contest.

Brown, who transferred to Duke following two years at Syracuse and has lived up to expectations that came with his ACC All-Defensive Team selection last season by averaging a team-high 2.1 steals through nine appearances as a Blue Devil, sustained the toe setback during the second half of the squad's 76-65 road win over the Louisville Cardinals in their ACC opener back on Dec. 8.

While Brown is a go, two reserves toward the end of the Duke basketball bench are now out of commission versus the Patriots.

Graduate guard and mop-up-duty crowd favorite Spencer Hubbard is sidelined with some tooth-related matter. And graduate guard/forward Cameron Sheffield is out with an illness.

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Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more Duke basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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