Cooper Flagg’s much-anticipated first NBA All-Star Weekend appearance will have to wait.
The Dallas Mavericks rookie underwent an MRI on Wednesday that revealed a left midfoot sprain, the team announced. As a result, Flagg will miss Thursday night’s matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers and will not participate in Friday’s Rising Stars game at the Intuit Dome, which kicks off All-Star Weekend festivities in Southern California.
While the injury is certainly disappointing for fans eager to see the No. 1 overall pick on one of the league’s brightest stages, the timing may ultimately work in Dallas’ favor. According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Flagg is not expected to miss extended time beyond the All-Star break. With the Mavericks not scheduled to return to action until Feb. 20 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the rookie forward will have more than a week to rest and recover.
For a player who has already become the centerpiece of Dallas’ rebuilding effort, the brief pause could be critical.
A Setback at an Inopportune — Yet Manageable — Moment
Flagg’s absence will be felt immediately. The Mavericks head into Thursday’s contest at Crypto.com Arena riding an eight-game losing streak. At 19-34, they sit 12th in the Western Conference and are in danger of missing the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
Despite the team’s struggles, Flagg has been a clear bright spot.
Selected first overall in last summer’s NBA Draft after a standout collegiate career at Duke, Flagg has delivered on the high expectations that followed him into the league. Through the 2025–26 season, he is averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game while shooting just over 48% from the field. He has also contributed 0.8 blocks per contest, logging heavy minutes at 34:04 per game.
His most recent performance only reinforced his rising-star status. In Tuesday night’s 120-111 loss to the Phoenix Suns in Arizona, Flagg poured in a game-high 27 points and added five assists, showcasing the offensive versatility and poise that made him one of the most highly regarded prospects in recent memory.
Yet even with Flagg producing at a high level, Dallas has struggled to find consistency on both ends of the floor. The team’s current skid underscores the growing pains that often accompany a roster built around youth and transition.
Rising Stars Game Loses a Headliner
The injury also removes one of the marquee attractions from Friday’s Rising Stars game, traditionally one of the highlights of All-Star Weekend. Flagg had been selected to Team Melo, coached by Carmelo Anthony, further adding intrigue to the event. The matchup was set to take place at the Intuit Dome and serve as the opening act for a weekend that includes the celebrity game and the HBCU Classic.
It remains unclear who will replace Flagg on the Rising Stars roster. Given his prominence and early-season production, his absence creates a noticeable void — both competitively and from a fan engagement standpoint.
For Flagg, the missed opportunity is undoubtedly frustrating. All-Star Weekend represents more than just exhibition basketball. It is a platform for the league’s brightest young talents to introduce themselves to a national and global audience. For a rookie already under intense scrutiny and attention, the stage would have been another milestone in what has been an impressive debut campaign.
Instead, the focus shifts to recovery.
The Bigger Picture for Dallas
From an organizational standpoint, the Mavericks will likely prioritize caution over short-term gains. With the playoffs increasingly slipping out of reach, protecting the long-term health of their franchise cornerstone is paramount.
The midfoot sprain diagnosis, while concerning in nature given the foot’s importance to a player’s mobility and explosiveness, appears manageable. The built-in All-Star break provides an ideal recovery window without forcing Dallas to make immediate roster adjustments or rush Flagg back into action.
The Mavericks’ next scheduled game on Feb. 20 against the Minnesota Timberwolves offers a realistic target for his return. If Flagg can resume play then without lingering issues, the missed Rising Stars appearance will ultimately be remembered as a minor footnote rather than a defining setback.
Still, Dallas must navigate the immediate future without its leading scorer. Thursday’s clash with the Lakers presents another challenge for a team already struggling to generate momentum. With eight straight losses and mounting pressure in the Western Conference standings, the Mavericks face a critical stretch that could further define the trajectory of their season.
A Promising Rookie Campaign Continues
Even in defeat, Flagg’s performance metrics speak volumes. Averaging over 20 points per game as a rookie is no small feat, particularly for a player adjusting to the speed and physicality of the NBA. His efficiency — shooting above 48% from the field — highlights a mature offensive approach rarely seen in first-year players.
Beyond the numbers, Flagg’s impact has been evident in his versatility. Capable of scoring from multiple levels, facilitating for teammates and contributing defensively, he has already begun to shape the identity of the Mavericks’ future.
The former Duke standout entered the league with immense expectations, and thus far, he has met them head-on. The learning curve remains steep, especially on a team searching for stability, but his development trajectory points upward.
Missing All-Star Weekend may delay a celebratory moment, but it does little to diminish the broader arc of his rookie season.
What Comes Next?
All eyes now turn to the recovery timeline. Foot injuries in basketball often carry heightened scrutiny, but early indications suggest this is a short-term issue rather than a long-term concern.
For the NBA, the Rising Stars game will proceed without one of its biggest names. For the Mavericks, the focus remains on survival — both in the standings and in nurturing their young star’s continued growth.
For Flagg himself, patience becomes the priority.
The road to stardom is rarely without detours. Missing his first All-Star Weekend is a disappointment, but in the grand scheme, it is a small obstacle in what appears to be a promising NBA journey.
If his early-season performances are any indication, Cooper Flagg will have plenty of All-Star opportunities ahead.