DURHAM, N.C. (AP) – Duke guard Nolan Smith injured the second toe on his left foot in the final minutes of the fifth-ranked Blue Devils’ 87-71 win over Maryland in the Atlantic Coast Conference quarterfinals Friday night.
Smith did not return. Coach Mike Krzyzewski called Smith questionable for the semifinals Saturday and said his star guard would have X-rays.
The ACC player of the year was hurt with 6:48 remaining in what appeared to be a non-contact injury. He planted in the lane and tried to jump but instead fell to the floor.
He limped off the court, and team medical staff removed his left shoe and evaluated and tested his foot. Smith put his shoe back on and walked off the bench and into the tunnel with 5:21 left in the game.
He came back to the bench a few seconds later to a standing ovation from the Duke fans but could be seen limping.
Smith averages an ACC-best 21.6 points for the Blue Devils (28-4), the No. 2 seed in the league tournament.
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