Photos: Duke defeats Clemson to reach ACC Tournament finals
By Ethan Hyman and
Robert Willett
Duke defeated Clemson 73-61 in the semifinals of the 2026 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, March 13, 2026.
With the victory, the Blue Devils advance to face Virginia in the ACC Tournament finals Saturday.
Duke was playing without two injured starters, Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba II and Clemson is without Carter Welling, who was injured in their game against Wake Forest.
Keep checking back for more images from the game.
Duke’s Isaiah Evans heads out to warmup before Duke’s game against Clemson in the semifinals of the 2026 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, March 13, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Clemson's Nick Davidson (11) defends Duke’s Nikolas Khamenia II (14) during the first half of Duke’s game against Clemson in the semifinals of the 2026 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, March 13, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Cameron Boozer (12) drives through Clemson's Nick Davidson (11) and Chase Thompson (3) during the first half of Duke’s game against Clemson in the semifinals of the 2026 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, March 13, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Nikolas Khamenia II (14) celebrates after Cayden Boozer made the basket while being fouled during the first half of Duke’s game against Clemson in the semifinals of the 2026 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, March 13, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Clemson's Ace Buckner (21) fouls Duke’s Isaiah Evans (3) during the first half of Duke’s game against Clemson in the semifinals of the 2026 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, March 13, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke guard Dame Sarr (7) drives to the basket against Clemson guard Efrem Johnson (4) in the first half on Friday, March 13, 2026, during the semifinals of the ACC Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Dame Sarr (7) reacts after hitting a three-pointer during the second half of Duke’s 73-61 victory over Clemson in the semifinals of the 2026 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, March 13, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Clemson's Jestin Porter (1) drives by Duke’s Darren Harris (8) during the first half of Duke’s game against Clemson in the semifinals of the 2026 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, March 13, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Clemson's Nick Davidson (11) tries to find space around Duke’s Cameron Boozer (12) during the first half of Duke’s game against Clemson in the semifinals of the 2026 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, March 13, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Cameron Boozer (12) is defended by Clemson's Nick Davidson (11) during the first half of Duke’s game against Clemson in the semifinals of the 2026 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, March 13, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Carlos Boozer, the father of Duke players Cayden Boozer (2) and Cameron Boozer (12) cheers on his sons, after Cayden drew a foul and made a basket in the first half against Clemson on Friday, March 13, 2026, during the semifinals of the ACC Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer talks to Cameron Boozer (12) during the second half of Duke’s 73-61 victory over Clemson in the semifinals of the 2026 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, March 13, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Clemson coach Brad Brownell questions a call by the officials in the first half against Duke on Friday, March 13, 2026, during the semifinals of the ACC Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Duke coach Jon Scheyer smiles as he speaks to guard Cayden Boozer (2) as time expires in the Blue Devils’ 73-61 victory over Clemson on Friday, March 13, 2026, during the semifinals of the ACC Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Duke forward Isaiah Evans (3) launches a three-point shot in the first half against Clemson on Friday, March 13, 2026, during the semifinals of the ACC Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Clemson's Jestin Porter (1) drives by DukeÕs Darren Harris (8) and Cayden Boozer (2) during the first half of DukeÕs game against Clemson in the semifinals of the 2026 ACC MenÕs Basketball Tournament at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, March 13, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Cameron Boozer (12) talks with his twin bother Cayden Boozer (2) during the second half of Duke’s 73-61 victory over Clemson in the semifinals of the 2026 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, March 13, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke guard Cayden Boozer (2) and forward Isaiah Evans (3) trap Clemson guard Ace Buckner (21) in the first half on Friday, March 13, 2026, during the semifinals of the ACC Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Duke forward Cameron Boozer (12) drives to the basket against Clemson forward Nick Davidson (11) in the first half on Friday, March 13, 2026, during the semifinals of the ACC Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Duke forwards Isaiah Evans (3) and Cameron Boozer (12) defend Clemson guard Efrem Johnson (4) in the second half on Friday, March 13, 2026, during the semifinals of the ACC Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Clemson coach Brad Brownell talks with guard Dillon Hunter (2) and forward R J Godfrey (0) in the first half against Duke on Friday, March 13, 2026, during the semifinals of the ACC Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Clemson forward Nick Davidson (11) blocks a shot by Duke guard Cayden Boozer (2) in the first half on Friday, March 13, 2026, during the semifinals of the ACC Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Clemson guard Dillon Hunter (2) and forwards R J Godfrey (0) and Nick Davidson (11) trap Duke forward Cameron Boozer (12) in the second half on Friday, March 13, 2026, during the semifinals of the ACC Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Cameron Boozer lead all scores with 24 points in the Blue Devils’ 73-61 victory. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Duke coach Jon Scheyer smiles as he speaks to guard Cayden Boozer (2) as time expires in the Blue Devils’ 73-61 victory over Clemson on Friday, March 13, 2026, during the semifinals of the ACC Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
This story was originally published March 13, 2026 at 10:55 PM.
