Utah Jazz Rookie Ace Bailey Added To Rising Stars Game As Injury Replacement
Feb 12, 2026, 10:15 AM | Updated: Feb 13, 2026, 9:58 am
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: Ace Bailey #19 of the Utah Jazz stands on the court during their game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on October 24, 2025 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Jazz rookie Ace Bailey is headed to All-Star weekend.
The NBA announced Thursday that Bailey has been named an injury replacement for Dallas’ Cooper Flagg, extending Utah’s streak of Rising Stars representation to four consecutive years.
Jazz forward Ace Bailey will replace Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg on Team Melo in the 2026 @CastrolUSA Rising Stars (Friday, 2/13, 9pm/et, Peacock). pic.twitter.com/WnWLK6RRmp
— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) February 12, 2026
In 48 games played this year, Bailey has 37 starts and is averaging 11.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists on 44.9 percent from the field and 34.3 percent from three.
The wing out of Rutgers has scored over 20 points seven times, including a career-high 25 points against the Spurs on January 22.
Bailey has quickly shown why he was worth a top-five pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. He has displayed a willingness to do the little things—like rebounding and getting in the mix defensively—all while continuously flashing his high-end offensive potential.
As the Jazz look to exit their rebuild starting next season, Bailey has become one of the Jazz’s most promising future pieces.
Ace Bailey will be playing in the Rising Stars Challenge after all. https://t.co/eXXH9n13J1
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 12, 2026
Bailey will play with his former college teammate Dylan Harper in the Rising Stars challenge.
Also on Team Melo are Rockets guard Reed Sheppard, Spurs guard Stephon Castle, Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears, Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan, and Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles.
The Castrol Rising Stars event features four teams of NBA rookies, sophomores, and G-League stars. The two winning teams from the first round will advance to meet in the final.
The Rising Stars challenge will take place on Friday, February 13, and tip-off is set for 7 p.m. (MT). The games will be broadcast on Peacock.
