Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

NBA Announces Cooper Flagg's NBA All-Star Weekend Replacement After Injury Update

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Zahid Rashid | Last updated Feb 12, 2026 2:35 PM ET

Cooper Flagg has lived up to the expectations of being the No. 1 overall pick, quickly emerging as the best player on the Dallas Mavericks roster. While he didn’t earn a nod for the All-Star Game, the star forward was set to headline the 2026 NBA Rising Stars Game, which tips off All-Star Weekend.

However, Flagg has been ruled out not only for the Mavericks’ Thursday night clash against the Los Angeles Lakers but also for the All-Star break.

The 19-year-old had appeared in the Mavericks’ last six games but is dealing with a left midfoot sprain. He suffered the injury during Tuesday’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers and underwent an MRI afterward, which confirmed the sprain.

Cooper Flagg in action against the San Antonio Spurs. Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

With Flagg ruled out, the NBA announced Utah Jazz rookie Ace Bailey as his replacement for the Rising Stars Game. Additionally, Washington Wizards sophomore Alex Sarr (hamstring) was also ruled out , with teammate Bub Carrington named as his replacement.

Jazz forward Ace Bailey will replace fellow rookie Cooper Flagg of the Mavericks on Team Melo in the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars (2/13, 9 PM ET, Peacock).

Flagg is out with a foot sprain.

Rising Stars: Friday, Feb. 13 | 9 PM ET | Peacock pic.twitter.com/785ptn5UMb
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 12, 2026

While Bailey was selected just four picks after Flagg in the draft, Flagg’s absence is still a disappointment for fans. He has already established himself as a star in the league, averaging team highs of 20.4 points and 1.2 steals per game, along with 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Carmelo Anthony had even selected him as a top pick for his team for the Rising Stars Game.

Bailey, meanwhile, had a slow start to the season but has found his rhythm recently, averaging 15.4 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 46.6% from the field over his last 15 games. For the season, he has appeared in 48 games and is averaging 11.6 points and 3.8 rebounds.

NBA Rising Stars Game Schedule And Format

The NBA Rising Stars Game is scheduled for Friday, February 13, at 9 p.m. ET, with the championship game set for 10:35 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

A total of 20 players were selected from the NBA, with league assistant coaches voting to choose the top 10 rookies and 10 sophomores. NBA legends Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady each drafted a team of seven players, while the fourth team consists of G League standouts and is coached by former NBA guard Austin Rivers.

The teams will compete in semifinal matchups, with Team Melo facing Team Austin at 9 p.m. ET, followed by Team Vince vs. Team T-Mac at 9:55 p.m. ET. The first team to score 40 or more points in each semifinal will advance to the final, where the first team to reach 25 or more points will claim the trophy.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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