"What we understand from communication with Duke and the ACC is that Cooper Flagg will be available for the NCAA tournament." NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt provides an update on the @DukeMBB star, who is expected to recover from his ankle injury in time for… pic.twitter.com/MGgg8YTuA1

Duke freshman Cooper Flagg appeared to injure his left ankle after slipping under the basket and was helped to the locker room by two teammates late in the first half. He did not return.

Duke star Cooper Flagg, who suffered an ankle injury during the ACC tournament, will "be available" for the NCAA tournament, according to Dan Gavitt, NCAA senior vice president of men's basketball.

Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after scoring against the Florida State Seminoles during the second half at Cameron Indo

But speaking with CBS Sports, NCAA Senior VP of Basketball Dan Gavitt said that Duke and the ACC have communicated that the six-foot-nine phenom will be available for the men's NCAA Tournament.

So there's no great reason for Cooper Flagg to play Friday against North Carolina in the ACC Tournament semifinals one day after spraining his left ankle in a win over Georgia Tech. A potential Flagg absence would be good for a UNC team desperately in need of a Q1 win,