Injury Shocker on the Eve of All-Star Weekend 2026
The 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend at the Intuit Dome in California has lost one of its main attractions for the Rising Stars competition. Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft currently playing for the Dallas Mavericks, has officially been ruled out of the weekend’s festivities due to injury.
According to an official team announcement on Wednesday, Flagg underwent an MRI that revealed a left midfoot sprain. While the news is disappointing for fans eager to see him perform, medical notes offer an optimistic outlook, stating that Flagg is not expected to miss any additional time beyond the All-Star break.
Ace Bailey: From the Utah Jazz to the Rising Stars Stage
The NBA did not let this vacancy remain for long. Utah Jazz forward Ace Bailey has been officially named as Flagg’s replacement on the team led by NBA legend Carmelo Anthony (Team Melo).
Bailey’s selection is considered highly appropriate, given that he has been Flagg’s closest rival since high school through last year’s draft. Bailey was selected 5th overall by the Jazz, just four spots behind Flagg. Much like Flagg at Duke, Bailey spent only one season in the collegiate ranks at Rutgers before jumping to the professional level.
Rookie Profiles and Adaptation Analysis
Although both are among the league’s most talented young players, their journeys in this debut season have followed different paths:
- Cooper Flagg (Mavericks): Immediately became the focal point of the Dallas offense, carrying a 24.7% usage rate. He leads his team in scoring with impressive statistics: 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.
- Ace Bailey (Jazz): Began his season with a more gradual adaptation. While he has started 37 of the 48 games he has played, his usage rate stands at 18.7%. Bailey faced some early hurdles due to off-court management drama before eventually parting ways with his controversial manager.
Statistical Breakdown: Why Ace Bailey Earned the Call-Up
While his numbers might not look as explosive as Flagg’s on paper, Ace Bailey has shown remarkable growth, particularly in recent weeks. Below is a performance comparison of both players for the 2025-2026 season:
| Statistic | Cooper Flagg (DAL) | Ace Bailey (UTA) |
| Points per Game | 20,4 | 11,6 |
| Rebounds per Game | 6,6 | 3,8 |
| Assists per Game | 4,1 | 1,7 |
| Field Goal Accuracy (FG%) | 48,2% | 44,9% |
| 3-Point Accuracy (3P%) | 30,2% | 34,3% |
Bailey has scored 20 or more points on seven occasions this season, four of which occurred in his last 12 games. His versatility as a modern forward capable of shooting from deep makes him a serious threat in the Rising Stars contest. Furthermore, the 19-year-old recently made history as the youngest player in Jazz history to reach 500 career points.
Tactical Impact for the Dallas Mavericks and Flagg’s Future
For the Dallas Mavericks, Flagg’s absence from All-Star Weekend can be viewed as a “blessing in disguise” regarding his recovery. The team, coached by Jason Kidd, is currently in a critical state after suffering eight consecutive losses and sliding to 12th in the Western Conference with a 19-34 record.
Without Flagg, the Mavericks are scheduled to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. However, the All-Star break provides more than a week for Flagg to recover before the Mavericks return to action against the Minnesota Timberwolves on February 20, 2026.
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reports that Mavericks management is not concerned about any long-term impact from this injury. The team’s primary focus is ensuring their No. 1 pick is fully fit to help chase down a playoff spot in the remainder of the regular season, aiming to avoid missing the playoffs for a second straight year.
Western Conference Context: The Battle of the Cellar
It is interesting to note that both of these Rising Stars represent teams currently dwelling at the bottom of the Western Conference:
- Dallas Mavericks: 12th place (19-34), struggling to snap an 8-game losing streak.
- Utah Jazz: 13th place (18-37), trailing just behind the Mavericks in the standings.
Despite their teams’ overall struggles, both Flagg and Bailey are at the core of their organizations’ future plans. Bailey’s appearance in the Rising Stars game is not just a formality; it is a validation of the progress he has made in Salt Lake City after a challenging start to the season.
Conclusion: Awaiting Ace Bailey’s Debut on Team Melo
Ace Bailey is now set to join other elite young talents under the guidance of Coach Carmelo Anthony at the Intuit Dome. This opportunity provides a massive stage for Bailey to prove he is more than just an alternative, but a legitimate threat to the Rookie of the Year conversation alongside Flagg.
Meanwhile, Mavericks fans are hoping for a smooth recovery for Flagg. Given his dominant performance—scoring 27 points against the Phoenix Suns in his last outing—Flagg’s contribution is desperately needed to save Dallas’s season.
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