Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball: Latest on Mark Mitchell's Injury Status

It doesn't sound like Duke basketball forward Mark Mitchell will be out of commission for long.

Matt Giles

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There's no guarantee that Duke basketball's Mark Mitchell will be on the floor when the No. 2 Blue Devils host No. 12 Arizona at 7 p.m. ET Friday. But don't rule out the possibility either.

Following Duke's 92-54 home win over Dartmouth on Monday night to tip off the team's 2023-24 regular season, second-year head coach Jon Scheyer addressed the status of Mitchell, who started 35 games for the Blue Devils last season and figures to be an integral piece to the starting lineup this go-round.

"Mark couldn't play right before the game," Scheyer explained. "He sprained his ankle. He's day-to-day. I don't know what's going to happen with him."

Mitchell was not wearing a protective boot, nor did he exhibit a discernible limp when standing on the court during pre-game warmups:

Those observations align with Scheyer's outlook on Mitchell's status, as he seemed cautiously optimistic regarding his chances of suiting up against Arizona.

"I'm not too concerned," Scheyer noted about the extent of the injury and the prospect of Mitchell missing several games. "I don't want to get ahead of myself either. I think it's important tomorrow to see how he's doing, and then Wednesday.

"My hope is he plays Friday. But it's too soon to tell. I do not think this is a long-term thing. He wanted to [try to play] today. He just wasn't ready yet."

Against Dartmouth, graduate center Ryan Young drew the start alongside projected full-time starters Tyrese Proctor, Jeremy Roach, Jared McCain, and Kyle Filipowski. Even if Mark Mitchell returns for the Arizona game, it's conceivable Scheyer would limit his minutes and give Young the starting nod again.

After welcoming the Wildcats to Cameron Indoor Stadium, the Blue Devils travel to Chicago for their Champions Classic showdown against No. 4 Michigan State at 7 p.m. ET Tuesday.

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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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