{"id":177456,"date":"2026-02-11T23:58:52","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T04:58:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=177456"},"modified":"2026-02-11T23:58:52","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T04:58:52","slug":"cooper-flagg-to-miss-rising-stars-game-potential-replacement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/02\/11\/cooper-flagg-to-miss-rising-stars-game-potential-replacement\/","title":{"rendered":"Cooper Flagg To Miss Rising Stars Game, Potential Replacements"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Recovering from &#8220;a left midfoot sprain&#8221; that he sustained against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday (h\/t Mavs PR on <em>X<\/em>), Dallas Mavericks forward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/f\/flaggco01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cooper Flagg<\/a>\u00a0will miss this season&#8217;s Rising Stars Game, an All-Star event that spotlights the best first-year and second-year players in the NBA.<\/p>\n<h2>Cooper Flagg To Miss Rising Stars Game, Potential Replacements<\/h2>\n<p>In spite of Flagg&#8217;s impending absence from the annual All-Star festivities, he&#8217;s had a marvelous rookie campaign. With averages of 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game, he hasn&#8217;t just shown he was worthy of being the first player chosen in the 2025 NBA Draft. The precocious playmaker has proven he can be a franchise centerpiece as well.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The Mavericks announced today that forward\/guard Cooper Flagg underwent an MRI that revealed a left midfoot sprain.<\/p>\n<p>The injury occurred in Dallas\u2019 game at PHX on Tuesday. Flagg will miss the team\u2019s game at LAL on Thursday as well as the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars game on Friday.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Mavs PR (@MavsPR) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MavsPR\/status\/2021781408037978607?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 12, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>So, while The Maine Event would likely prefer to be competing on Friday, he has bigger fish to fry.<\/p>\n<h3>Rising Stars Roster<\/h3>\n<p>Flagg was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/news\/2026-nba-rising-stars\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">originally set to play<\/a> for Hall of Fame forward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/a\/anthoca01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Carmelo Anthony<\/a>&#8216;s handpicked squad, <strong>Team Melo<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"max-width: 800px\"><smartframe-embed class=\"smartframe_wp_element\" customer-id=\"a61405551f80e72f675225f083759bb9\" image-id=\"fwuQL4dLX0kV\" style=\"width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 3900px; aspect-ratio: 3900\/2700;\" ><\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n<p>Joining him would be San Antonio Spurs guards <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/castlst01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Stephon Castle<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/harpedy01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dylan Harper<\/a>, Houston Rockets guard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sheppre01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Reed Sheppard<\/a>, New Orleans Pelicans guard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/f\/fearsje01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jeremiah Fears<\/a>, Portland Trail Blazers center <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/clingdo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Donovan Clingan<\/a> and Toronto Raptors big man <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/murraco01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Collin Murray-Boyles<\/a>. Now, someone has to replace him and Murray-Boyles, who&#8217;s sidelined with <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/02\/09\/collin-murray-boyles-injury-raptors-frontcourt\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">a left thumb sprain<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>For reference, here&#8217;s the team Hall of Fame wing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcgratr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tracy McGrady<\/a> drafted for <strong>Team T-Mac<\/strong>: Charlotte Hornets wing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/k\/knuepko01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kon Knueppel<\/a>; Miami Heat center <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wareke01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kel&#8217;el Ware<\/a>; Washington Wizards big man <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sarral01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alex Sarr<\/a> and wing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/johnstr03.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tre Johnson<\/a>; Cleveland Cavaliers swingman <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/t\/tysonja01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jaylon Tyson<\/a>; Memphis Grizzlies guard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/spencca01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cam Spencer<\/a> and Oklahoma City Thunder guard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mitchaj01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ajay Mitchell<\/a>. Atlanta Hawks swingman <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/risacza01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zaccharie Risacher<\/a> was named as <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/NBAAllStar\/status\/2021335417006813488?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">the injury replacement<\/a> for Mitchell on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>Last but perhaps not least, Hall of Fame wing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/cartevi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vince Carter<\/a> also drafted a Rising Stars team (<strong>Team Vince<\/strong>). Here were his picks: Wizards swingman <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/georgky01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kyshawn George<\/a>; Pelicans center <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/q\/queende01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Derik Queen<\/a>; Grizzlies wings <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/cowarce01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cedric Coward<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wellsja01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jaylen Wells<\/a>; Philadelphia 76ers guard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/e\/edgecvj01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">VJ Edgecombe<\/a>; Chicago Bulls forward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/buzelma01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Matas Buzelis<\/a>; and Brooklyn Nets guard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/demineg01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Egor Demin<\/a>. As of this writing, Carter has the only team that doesn&#8217;t need injury replacements.<\/p>\n<h3>Rising Stars Replacements?<\/h3>\n<h4>The Rookies<\/h4>\n<p>By the numbers, there are three rookies that would be an apt replacement for Flagg:<\/p>\n<p>The fifth overall pick, Utah Jazz forward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/baileac01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ace Bailey<\/a>&#8216;s 11.6 points per game rank eighth in his draft class. As a starter, gangly scorer averaged 13.5 points per game on 46.3% shooting from the field (36 games).<\/p>\n<p>Sacramento Kings stretch-center <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/raynama01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Maxime Raynaud<\/a>&#8216;s scoring average (9.9 points per game) ranks 11th among the 2026 NBA Draft class and his rebounding average (6.7 per game) ranks second. As a starter, he&#8217;s averaging 11.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.<\/p>\n<p>A second-round pick, Hornets center <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kalkbry01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ryan Kalkbrenner<\/a> is getting it done on the scoreboard and backboard with 8.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. However, the paint sentinel also comes with a shot-blocking element, averaging 1.5 blocks per game.<\/p>\n<h4>The Sophomores<\/h4>\n<p>There are also three sophomores that would make sense to replace Flagg.<\/p>\n<p>Jazz point guard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/colliis01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Isaiah Collier<\/a> and forward-center <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/f\/filipky01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kyle Filipowski<\/a> are both averaging about 10 and seven, but differently. Collier, an exceptional on-ball defender and facilitator, is posting 10.3 points and 7.2 assists per game. Last week, he tallied <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/02\/06\/jazz-latest-developments-make-walker-kessler-expendable\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">22 assists in a single game<\/a>. Filipowski is a jack of all trades at 6-foot-11, averaging 9.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. If one of those Jazzmen doesn&#8217;t qualify, then Heat guard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/l\/larsspe01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pelle Larsson<\/a> is as good a choice as any. Not only is he averaging career-highs of 10.3 points and 3.3 assists per game, he&#8217;s doing it on a contender.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a9 Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Recovering from &#8220;a left midfoot sprain&#8221; that he sustained against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday (h\/t Mavs PR on X), Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg\u00a0will miss this season&#8217;s Rising Stars Game, an All-Star event that spotlights the best first-year and second-year players in the NBA. Cooper Flagg To Miss Rising Stars Game, Potential Replacements In [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5008,"featured_media":177460,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,4,1608,6,7,8,9,30,2,31,32,16,33,3,22,13,23,29,34,14,24,18],"tags":[49399,48964,4930,48982,50128,4745,1406,49281,49685],"class_list":["post-177456","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba","category-hawks","category-basketball","category-nets","category-hornets","category-bulls","category-cavaliers","category-mavericks","category-featured","category-rockets","category-grizzlies","category-heat","category-pelicans","category-news","category-thunder","category-76ers","category-trailblazers","category-kings","category-spurs","category-raptors","category-jazz","category-wizards","tag-ace-bailey","tag-cooper-flagg","tag-isaiah-collier","tag-kyle-filipowski","tag-maxime-raynaud","tag-nba-injuries","tag-nba-rising-stars","tag-pelle-larsson","tag-ryan-kalkbrenner"],"modified_by":"Quenton S Albertie","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177456","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5008"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=177456"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177456\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":177463,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177456\/revisions\/177463"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/177460"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=177456"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=177456"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=177456"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}