Is Cooper Flagg Playing Tonight? Mavericks Rookie Ruled Out of Rising Stars With Foot Injury

Cooper Flagg will not play tonight. The Dallas rookie has been sidelined from the Castrol Rising Stars with a left midfoot sprain and has been replaced on the event roster.

Is Cooper Flagg playing tonight?

No. Flagg is out for tonight’s Rising Stars game, scheduled for Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET in Inglewood, Calif. The first-year forward had been selected to Team Melo, but medical evaluation ruled him unable to participate due to a left midfoot sprain.

What happened to Flagg?

The injury is described as a left midfoot sprain, a setback significant enough to remove him from the All-Star weekend showcase featuring the league’s top young talent. There was no immediate indication that he would take part in any other All-Star activities. The decision keeps the focus on recovery, with the exhibition nature of the event giving the Mavericks and the player a clear incentive to avoid unnecessary risk.

Who is replacing him in Rising Stars?

Utah forward Ace Bailey has been named as Flagg’s replacement on Team Melo. Bailey, a rookie, enters the weekend averaging 11.6 points and 3.8 rebounds across 48 games. His recent form has trended up: over his last 15 appearances, he’s posting 15.4 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 46.6% from the field. The addition gives Team Melo another dynamic wing option and maintains roster balance despite Flagg’s late scratch.

There is a second change on the Rising Stars slate as well: Washington guard Bub Carrington has been added to Team T-Mac in place of sophomore big Alex Sarr, who is out with a right hamstring strain. Carrington is averaging 10.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 53 games and leads his team with 110 made threes, connecting at 39.3% from deep.

How the teams line up without Flagg

Team Melo, coached by Carmelo Anthony in an honorary role, retains a mix of first- and second-year players after the swap. Bailey slots into a wing/forward role similar to what Flagg would have occupied, preserving spacing and switchability for a format that typically rewards versatility and open-floor play. On the other side, Team T-Mac adjusts by adding Carrington’s perimeter shooting in place of Sarr’s interior presence, which could subtly shift the team’s offensive profile toward pace-and-space lineups.

Why this matters tonight

Rising Stars is an annual stage for emerging players to showcase skill, athleticism, and late-game shotmaking under the All-Star spotlight. Flagg’s absence removes one of the night’s most anticipated rookies, but Bailey’s surge offers a timely storyline for Team Melo. For viewers, the headline remains the same: a fast-paced, talent-forward exhibition, now with a couple of notable roster tweaks.

Event details at a glance

– Date: Friday, Feb. 13, 2026
– Time: 9 p.m. ET
– Venue: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, Calif.
– Format: Rookie and sophomore showcase featuring teams led by honorary coaches Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, and Austin Rivers.

The Rising Stars game remains a tentpole of the weekend, offering a preview of the league’s next wave. While Flagg’s withdrawal reshapes expectations, the event’s blend of budding star power and open-court flair should hold firm—with Bailey and Carrington stepping into the frame on short notice.