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Wendell Moore Jr. discusses frightening moment in Duke win vs. Clemson

Barkley-Truaxby: Barkley Truax02/13/22BarkleyTruax
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(Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)

Thursday’s game between Duke and Clemson saw tempers flare when Blue Devil guard Wendell Moore Jr. was pushed from behind on a fast break by the Tigers’ David Collins. Moore had a scary landing, but popped right back up and finished the game. Collins was called for a flagrant foul and was ejected following the play.

Despite the hard fall, Moore didn’t take any time off. On top of finishing the game, he also made the start and played 31 minutes 48 hours later in Duke’s 72-61 win over Boston College on Saturday. Moore discussed how he was feeling after the game.

“I’m good. A little sore, bumps and bruises here and there, but if I’m good to go then I’m going to play,” Moore told Andy Katz.

How has Moore been dealing with the hard fall and routinely taking care of his body throughout a grueling season? Ice tubs, hot tubs and the chiropractor, according to the junior guard.

Being in such a scary, uncontrollable situation (for Moore), your body only has seconds to react. Moore feels lucky to have been able to leave the floor with nothing more than a couple bruises.

“It’s a scary situation, for real. Once you go parallel to the ground, there’s really nothing you can do,” Moore said. “All I could do was slow my momentum and try to cushion the fall … I wasn’t trying to break my wrist or anything. Obviously it’s a real scary thing, but I just have to take it how it is.”

Moore said he’s watched the play back once, but doesn’t intend to watch it again. He said seeing himself in such a vulnerable position like that is something he doesn’t want to keep replaying. Luckily for Moore and the rest of his team, he was fine and it doesn’t seem as though he’ll be taking any time off due to the fall.

“My mama always said if I can play then I’ve gotta get back up,” Moore said. “Either way I was going to get up and finish the game. I owe it to my brothers, I owe it to my team. They were there for me, so I have to finish it.”

Duke is set to host a very capable Wake Forest team this Tuesday at 7 p.m. on ESPN. Moore, as of now, is slated to be the Blue Devils starting point guard for the second game in a row since his scary fall.