BREAKING NEWS: After the match against the California Golden Bears, head coach Jon Scheyer unexpectedly announced that two players, Cameron Boozer and Isaiah Evans, are currently injured. With a sad expression, Jon Scheyer delivered the unfortunate news to fans, stating that his players are currently… sidelined with nagging lower-body issues that could sideline them for the upcoming stretch, including the critical road matchup against Stanford.

In a postgame press conference that shifted from celebration to concern, Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer dropped a bombshell following his team’s gritty 71-56 road victory over the California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion on January 14, 2026. The No. 6-ranked Blue Devils (16-1 overall, 5-0 ACC) had just dominated the paint, outrebounded Cal 44-30, and held the hosts to a season-low 56 points—thanks in large part to freshman sensation Cameron Boozer’s explosive second-half performance (21 points, 13 rebounds, eighth double-double of the season) and sophomore guard Isaiah Evans’ steady scoring (17 points).

But the mood in the locker room and on the podium turned somber when Scheyer addressed the media with visible disappointment. “We’re dealing with some tough news right now,” Scheyer said, his voice heavy. “Cameron Boozer and Isaiah Evans are currently dealing with injuries. They’re banged up—lower body stuff that’s been nagging—and we’re going to take a cautious approach. These guys gave everything tonight, but we have to protect them for the long haul.”

The announcement sent shockwaves through the college basketball world. Boozer, the runaway favorite for National Freshman of the Year and a projected top-3 NBA Draft pick in 2027, has been the engine of Duke’s offense this season. Averaging over 20 points and nearly 10 rebounds per game, the son of NBA veteran Carlos Boozer has delivered clutch performances week after week, including monster games against Louisville (27 points) and now Cal. His second-half explosion against the Golden Bears—17 of his 21 points came after halftime—turned a competitive contest into a rout, with Duke outscoring Cal 42-16 in the paint.

Evans, the preseason Second Team All-ACC selection, has been equally vital as a sophomore wing. His 17 points against Cal included timely threes and defensive tenacity that helped Duke weather Cal’s early surge. The Fayetteville, North Carolina native has stepped up in big moments, averaging double figures and providing perimeter shooting and leadership.

Scheyer elaborated that both injuries stem from “wear and tear” accumulated during a grueling early ACC slate, including back-to-back road games out West. “It’s nothing season-ending at this point, but we’re not risking anything,” he stressed. “Cam felt it late in the game, and Isaiah’s been managing some tightness. We’ll get MRIs and expert opinions back in Durham, but expect them to miss some time—possibly the Stanford game on Saturday and potentially more. This team’s depth will be tested.”

The timing couldn’t be worse for Duke. Fresh off a perfect 5-0 start in conference play, the Blue Devils head to Maples Pavilion to face Stanford (14-4, 3-2 ACC) on January 17, 2026—a team coming off an impressive win over UNC. Without Boozer’s interior dominance and Evans’ scoring punch, Scheyer will lean heavily on players like Patrick Ngongba II (solid minutes against Cal), Caleb Foster, Dame Sarr, and emerging contributors such as Nikolas Khamenia (10 points vs. Cal).

Fans flooded social media with concern and support. #DukeInjuries and #GetWellBoozer trended nationwide, with messages like “Cam’s been unstoppable—praying it’s minor” and “Isaiah’s heart and hustle are irreplaceable. Duke nation has your back.” Analysts on ESPN and The Athletic quickly adjusted projections, noting that Duke’s margin for error shrinks dramatically without its two leading scorers.

Scheyer tried to rally positivity amid the gloom. “These guys are tough. They’ve fought through everything this season. Our program is built on next-man-up mentality— we’ve got talent waiting for their shot. This is why we recruit deep and develop everyone.” He praised the team’s defensive effort against Cal—holding them to one field goal over a 10-minute stretch—and credited the win to collective grit, even as stars like Boozer and Evans powered the offense.

Looking ahead, the Blue Devils’ remaining schedule is unforgiving: tough ACC battles against ranked foes, road trips, and the looming March Madness push. Boozer and Evans’ health could define Duke’s ceiling in 2025-26. If the injuries are short-term (sprains, strains, or fatigue), the Blue Devils remain national title contenders. Prolonged absences, however, could open the door for chaos in a loaded ACC.

For now, the focus shifts to recovery and adaptation. Scheyer closed his remarks with a heartfelt note: “These two are special—not just players, but people. We’re family here. We’ll get them right, and they’ll be back stronger. Until then, the rest of us step up.”

Duke Nation holds its breath. The road win over Cal was supposed to be a statement of dominance. Instead, it became the backdrop for worrying news that could reshape the Blue Devils’ season. Stay tuned—updates on Boozer and Evans’ status are expected soon, but one thing is clear: in the high-stakes world of college hoops, even victories come with a price.