Cooper Flagg was supposed to spend All-Star weekend showcasing why he’s already the cornerstone of Dallas’ rebuild. Instead, the Mavericks’ lone bright spot left the floor in Phoenix with a visible limp and an MRI looming.

The 19-year-old rookie, who has piled up 999 points while missing just four games this season, appeared to tweak his left foot during Tuesday’s matchup against the Suns. Initially listed as doubtful for Thursday’s showdown against the Lakers, Flagg underwent imaging as the team and fans awaited clarity on whether his Rising Stars debut was suddenly in jeopardy.

Later, the MRI confirmed it was a left foot sprain, meaning he won’t participate with Team Melo, led by NBA legend Carmelo Anthony. Cooper Flagg was set to be teammates with Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, Collin Murray-Boyles, Reed Sheppard, Jeremiah Fears, and Donovan Clingan. The Mavs star was one of the biggest names among the three teams of rookies, sophomores, and G-League players competing against each other on Friday.

Flagg’s timetable for return is unknown, as the team has yet to issue its official report. Expectations are for the rookie to try to heal through the All-Star break and return only when he’s healthy enough to play.

Against the Suns, he played 35 minutes in Tuesday’s loss and scored 27 points. The last game that the Mavs rookie missed was against the Timberwolves on January 28, due to load management.

His most extended absence was a two-game stretch after he rolled his ankle on January 14 against the Denver Nuggets. While other senior players on the Mavericks continue to be long-term absentees, Cooper Flagg has taken on the responsibility on a nightly basis. He’s averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.2 steals this season.

But the NBA can’t be pleased about losing the player they’ve most marketed the Rising Stars Challenge around. In fact, Champions and All-Stars are dropping like flies ahead of the big weekend.

Not just Cooper Flagg, other players are facing injury issues before the All-Star weekend

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are all unavailable for this week’s event because of injury concerns. While Curry is out with a runner’s knee, Giannis is also suffering a calf strain, and SGA is out with an abdominal injury. All of them are expected to return after the All-Star break. In fact, more players may drop out.

Luka Doncic was injured during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Lakers head coach JJ Redick has issued an update and stated it was a “mild” hamstring strain and will be day-to-day moving forward. So far, the Slovenian has missed three games. Doncic is also the NBA’s leading scorer this season, averaging 32.8 points per game, while adding 8.6 assists and 7.8 rebounds as the Lakers’ offensive engine.

So fans will surely be excited to see him. Similarly, Anthony Edwards, who is not ruled out, dropped a concerning update. “Right now, I’m kind of banged up, so I might not be playing, but yeah, I hope it’s competitive.”

This confession was after the Raptors game on Wednesday, and since then, the Timberwolves star has started and played in three games.

While Luka and Edwards remain in doubt, the All-Star weekend won’t feature rookie Cooper Flagg and former champions Antetokounmpo, Curry, and Gilgeous-Alexander—definitely a huge miss for the fans.