Updated Feb. 24, 2026 — During Notre Dame’s 100-56 loss to No. 1 Duke at Purcell Pavilion on Tuesday, head coach Micah Shrewsberry exited the court on crutches with his lower left leg in a walking boot after injuring himself in the first half. The coach, in visible pain and helped at times by freshman Tommy Ahneman, declined detailed comment after the game and described the season as difficult. Notre Dame was already missing key players Markus Burton and Jalen Haralson to ankle injuries; the coach’s status for Saturday’s home game against N.C. State is uncertain. Team officials said at halftime the injury involved the Achilles area, but the exact diagnosis remains pending.
Key takeaways
- Micah Shrewsberry was injured during the first half of Notre Dame’s Feb. 24, 2026 game vs. No. 1 Duke and left the arena on crutches wearing a walking boot on his left foot.
- Notre Dame lost 100-56; the Blue Devils led 54-22 at halftime and never trailed in the game.
- The Irish were already without leading scorers Markus Burton and Jalen Haralson due to ankle injuries, contributing to a thin rotation.
- Notre Dame’s record at the time stood at 12-16 overall and 3-12 in ACC play; the team is scheduled to play N.C. State at home on Saturday.
- At halftime, a Notre Dame spokesperson said the coach sustained an injury to the Achilles area, though the precise nature and timetable for recovery were not confirmed.
- Assistant coach Mike Farrelly led on-court instruction in the second half while Shrewsberry remained seated on the bench.
- Tommy Ahneman, a freshman center recovering from knee surgery, assisted Shrewsberry to and from the locker room during intermission and again when the team returned.
Background
Micah Shrewsberry is in his third season as Notre Dame’s head coach. The Irish entered the Feb. 24 contest already beset by injuries, with two of their leading scorers — Markus Burton and Jalen Haralson — unavailable because of ankle issues. Those absences stretched the roster and placed added pressure on coaching staff and depth players to manage rotations against top-tier opposition.
The matchup against Duke featured the nation’s No. 1 team and pitted an undermanned Notre Dame side against one of the ACC’s most consistent powers. Historically, games like this test both tactical preparation and personnel resilience; when teams lack key contributors, the margin for error narrows and the risk of further physical strain increases. The program’s medical and operations staff are responsible for immediate on-court care and follow-up evaluation after such incidents.
Main event
The game swung decisively toward Duke early, with the Blue Devils taking a 54-22 lead by halftime. During the first half, Shrewsberry was his usual energetic self — directing sets, arguing calls and engaging with officials — until he suddenly sat on the bench and did not return to standing activity for the remainder of the period. Observers noted he appeared to have suffered an event involving his lower left leg sometime prior to the halftime horn.
At intermission Shrewsberry called for freshman center Tommy Ahneman, who had not played this season after fall knee surgery, and asked for assistance walking to the locker room. A staff member offered help but the coach declined, remaining supported by Ahneman as he slowly exited the court. The team returned with six minutes remaining in intermission and Shrewsberry returned to the bench, now wearing a black walking boot on his left foot and using crutches to move.
With Shrewsberry seated, assistant Mike Farrelly assumed the bulk of on-court vocal direction and substitutions in the second half. Notre Dame’s players repeatedly gathered around the coach’s seat during timeouts, indicating he remained the central figure for in-game communication despite limited mobility. After the final horn, Shrewsberry was aided back to the locker room as the band played the alma mater.
Analysis & implications
The immediate practical effect of Shrewsberry’s injury is a potential reduction in the active coaching presence during practices and games. Head coaches play an outsized role in in-game adjustments, timeout management and player rotations; a walk-on of responsibility to assistants can change the timing and execution of strategies. With two leading scorers already sidelined, Notre Dame’s capacity to adapt tactically against ranked opponents is further constrained.
From a program-management perspective, any significant injury to a head coach — particularly one involving the Achilles region — can create logistical and morale challenges. Medical clearance timelines for lower-leg and Achilles problems vary widely, from days for mild strains to months for ruptures requiring surgery. The uncertainty complicates short-term planning for the remainder of the ACC schedule and for player practice availability.
Recruiting and public perception are secondary but material considerations. Opponents may seek to exploit a quieter sideline voice, while recruits and boosters often watch how a program manages adversity. Notre Dame’s athletic department will need to balance transparency about Shrewsberry’s status with medical privacy and game-to-game competitiveness.
Comparison & data
| Item | Notre Dame | Duke |
|---|---|---|
| Score (Feb. 24, 2026) | 56 | 100 |
| Halftime score | 22 | 54 |
| Notre Dame record | 12-16 (3-12 ACC) | — |
| Unavailable Notre Dame players | Markus Burton, Jalen Haralson | — |
The table above summarizes the scoreboard and roster limitations that framed the game. Notre Dame’s shallow rotation, exacerbated by the absences of Burton and Haralson, correlated with an early deficit that never closed. While single-game scorelines do not explain medical events, data on minutes and substitution patterns suggest heightened exposure for remaining rotation players and staff during such contests.
Reactions & quotes
Notre Dame’s coach offered terse public comments after the game that reflected frustration and guarded privacy about his condition. That restraint is consistent with initial post-injury statements often made before medical assessment is completed.
I don’t really want to get into it right now.
Micah Shrewsberry, Notre Dame head coach
Notre Dame’s season-long struggles were on display in the coach’s characteristically blunt summation of the team’s fortunes. Those words underscore the emotional context surrounding an injury that occurred amid a difficult campaign.
The season of hell continues.
Micah Shrewsberry, Notre Dame head coach
At halftime, the athletic department provided a brief status update via a program spokesperson indicating the injury involved the Achilles area; full medical details were not released. That kind of preliminary statement is standard while evaluations and imaging are underway.
He sustained an Achilles injury,
Josh Bates, Notre Dame spokesperson
Unconfirmed
- The precise diagnosis — whether tendon inflammation, partial tear or full Achilles rupture — has not been publicly confirmed with imaging or a formal medical release.
- It is not yet confirmed whether Shrewsberry will be able to coach Notre Dame’s scheduled home game against N.C. State on Saturday.
Bottom line
Micah Shrewsberry’s midgame injury on Feb. 24, 2026, added to an already difficult night for Notre Dame basketball, compounding player absences and producing immediate uncertainty about coaching availability. The team lost decisively to No. 1 Duke, and the coach’s visible need for assistance and subsequent use of a walking boot suggest a potentially significant lower-leg injury.
For Notre Dame, the near-term priorities are medical clarification and contingency coaching arrangements while preserving competitive preparation for upcoming ACC matchups. The athletic department will need to provide timely, accurate updates once imaging and specialist evaluations are complete so fans, players and opponents understand both the health outlook and any temporary shifts in leadership responsibilities.
Sources
- South Bend Tribune — local news report on the game and coach’s injury (news).
- Notre Dame Athletics — official program site for team schedules and departmental statements (official athletics).