Cooper Flagg live stats: Duke vs. Kentucky score, results, highlights from 2024 Champions Classic

By | November 12, 2024
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The first high-profile matchup of Cooper Flagg’s Duke career is on tap Tuesday night. 

The Blue Devils, ranked sixth in the most recent AP Top 25 Poll, are set to face off against No. 17 Kentucky in the 2024 Champions Classic. The matchup will be in State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Duke comes into the contest currently off to a 2-0 start, having beat Maine and Army in its first two games. While the arrival of Flagg, the heavy favorite to go No. 1 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, has been a significant storyline following the program, its top contributor so far has actually been another freshman. 

Kon Knueppel led Duke in scoring in both of its contests, and he’s averaging 18.5 points on 56.5 percent shooting so far. The 6-7 forward appears to be one half of a dominant young duo with Flagg, who’s been displaying his all-around impact on the game in Duke’s early action.

Flagg is putting up 15.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game through two matchups, and he’s already racked up five steals and three blocks on the defensive end. Now, the Blue Devils and their star forward will play in their first ranked matchup of the 2024-25 season.

Kentucky also comes into Tuesday at 2-0, with wins over Wright State and Bucknell. Guard Koby Brea is the Wildcats’ early scoring leader, averaging 19.0 points so far, while center Amari Williams owns 12.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game.

While the Wildcats will be searching for an upset victory over a talented Duke squad on Tuesday night, the Blue Devils will have their first opportunity to make a statement on a national stage in the Champions Classic.

The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights, including Flagg’s live stats, from Duke vs. Kentucky in the 2024 Champions Classic on Tuesday. Follow along with the action below.

MORE: The Sporting News’ 2024-25 college basketball Preseason All-Americans

Cooper Flagg live stats vs. Kentucky

  • Minutes: 32
  • Points: 26
  • Rebounds: 12
  • Assists: 2
  • Steals: 0
  • Blocks: 2
  • FGs: 9-19
  • TOs: 3

Duke vs. Kentucky score

  1 2 F
Duke 46 26 72
Kentucky 37 40 77

MORE: Learn more about Cooper Flagg’s basketball family and Maine roots

Duke vs. Kentucky live updates, results, highlights from 2024 Champions Classic

(All times ET)

11:32 p.m. — The Wildcats use one last clutch play, an offensive rebound from Oweh on a missed free throw, to claim a 77-72 victory. It was a hard-fought win for Kentucky, still a very new team under Pope, and despite some clutch buckets down the stretch and impressive overall numbers, it was Flagg’s late mistakes that ended Duke’s chances at a third win.

11:28 p.m. — Flagg, once again, turns it over. The Blue Devils had an opportunity to tie or take the lead, but the freshman’s second consecutive turnover puts Kentucky in a strong spot for an upset with five second remaining.

11:24 p.m. — Flagg had an opportunity to give Duke the lead with just seconds remaining, but he lost the ball. Oweh takes it the other way, and he puts Kentucky up with two free throws. 

11:21 p.m. — Cooper Flagg. Another clutch bucket. He ties the game at 72 with just over a minute remaining, with his layup bouncing on the rim a few times before falling in. 

11:15 p.m. — Flagg comes through with a massive and-one bucket and knocks down the free throw. He’s up to 24 points, with Duke still fighting in this back-and-forth second half.

11:12 p.m. — Kentucky leads. Otega Oweh was left wide open under the basket, and he lays it in to give the Wildcats a 69-67 advantage with just over two minutes left.

11:08 p.m. — This matchup is set up for a dramatic finish. Andrew Carr draws a foul while downing a layup, and he has an opportunity to tie it at 67 with a free throw after a timeout.

11:06 p.m. — Kerr Kriisa’s second 3-pointer of the game brings Kentucky within just one point, then Flagg knocks down a pair of free throws.

10:59 p.m. — Garrison is lifting the Wildcats back into the game, matching a midrange jumper from Flagg with a fast break layup. It’s 63-61 in Duke’s favor with the clock dwindling down.

10:56 p.m. — With under nine minutes remaining, Kentucky cuts its deficit to just four points on a second-chance bucket from Brandon Garrison.

10:53 p.m. — Cooper Flagg from deep:

10:40 p.m. — With Duke holding onto its advantage, Flagg is making an all-around impact, using his size advantage to score in the paint, blocking a shot, assisting on a layup from Khaman Maluach and grabbing rebounds. 

10:32 p.m. — Kentucky gets right back in the game with a quick 8-4 run to begin the second half.

10:27 p.m. — The second half is under way in Atlanta. 

10:07 p.m. — The first half comes to an end with a run from the Blue Devils, who lead by nine. The Wildcats’ 3-point shooting (7-16) have kept them in it, but Duke has 11 points off of seven Kentucky turnovers. Flagg and Kon Knueppel lead the game with 12 points each.

9:54 p.m. — Proctor steps back for a three, putting Duke up by seven heading into a timeout. With the first half soon coming to an end, Flagg and Proctor are into double-digit scoring for the Blue Devils, while six different Wildcats have at least three points.

9:44 p.m. — Flagg puts the Blue Devils up by four with a layup on a fastbreak, and he’s already at 12 points.

9:36 p.m. — The Cooper Flagg hype is real.

9:33 p.m. — Flagg’s eight points lead the Blue Devils in what’s been a back-and-forth contest so far.

9:28 p.m. — A pull-up jumper and some free throws from Flagg has kept it close, but Kentucky is on a run with some hot shooting from 3-point range.

9:20 p.m. — Tyrese Proctor has led Duke to an early advantage, making each of his first three shots from the floor for seven points.

9:15 p.m. — Cooper Flagg opens the scoring in this one by catching a lob. 

9:13 p.m. — The first ranked matchup of Mark Pope’s tenure at Kentucky is under way, as each team is looking to advance to 3-0. 

9:01 p.m. — With the first game of the Champions Classic finished, Kentucky and Duke will tip off shortly in Atlanta.

7:51 p.m. — About an hour out from game time, here’s a look at the Blue Devils arriving for tonight’s game:

MORE: Cooper Flagg ready to unleash his game on college basketball

Duke vs. Kentucky start time

  • Date: Tuesday, Nov. 12
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET

The Blue Devils and Wildcats will tip off at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday. The game will be played at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

MORE: Where to listen to Duke basketball games this season

What channel is Duke vs. Kentucky on today?

  • TV channel: ESPN
  • Live stream: ESPN+, Sling

Flagg and the Blue Devils’ matchup against Kentucky will be broadcast nationally on ESPN, with Dan Shulman, Jay Bilas and Jess Sims on the call.

Viewers can also stream the game on Sling. 

Sling is the home for the avid sports fan. You can always cheer for your favorite teams with channels like ESPN, TBS, TNT, NFL Network, FS1 and more.

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