Maliq Brown injury update: Duke forward to play vs. Texas

Duke will have forward Maliq Brown available for tonight’s game against Texas, according to a program release. His status had previously been in doubt.

Brown is recovering from a minor knee procedure on his left knee at the end of September. That was not the same knee that he injured in a game against Notre Dame in January.

Coach Jon Scheyer had been cautiously optimistic in recent weeks that Maliq Brown might be recovered in time to play in the opener against Texas. The talented forward did not play in a preseason exhibition against Tennessee on Oct. 26.

“This week is important,” Scheyer said in Knoxville. “Our goal is to be ready for Texas in that first game. But we’re also just keeping the big picture in mind.”

Maliq Brown is a 6-foot-9, 225-pound force. He transferred to Duke from Syracuse ahead of the 2024-25 season.

In his first season with the Blue Devils, Brown averaged just 2.5 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. He played in 26 games and did not start any of them. He was limited by injury a great deal.

In addition to the knee injury that kept him out for four games last season, Brown also dealt with a significant shoulder injury.

That shoulder injury even hospitalized him at one point in March. He suffered the injury in a game against Georgia Tech, getting tangled up after reaching in for a ball.

Prior to his time at Duke, Maliq Brown was a more significant contributor at Syracuse. He averaged 9.5 points and 7.2 rebounds as a sophomore in 2023-24. He had previously averaged 5.7 points and 4.6 rebounds as a freshman in 2022-23.

Across two seasons at Syracuse, Brown appeared in 61 contests. He started 25 of them.

Duke and Texas are set to tip off at 8:45 p.m. ET on Tuesday. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.