NBA Rising Stars Shocker! Bailey & Carrington Step In For 2026 All-Star Game!

Utah Jazz's Ace Bailey and Washington Wizards' Bub Carrington replace injured players on Carmelo Anthony and Tracy McGrady's teams.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:59am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game or match, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and form that capture the energy and movement of the sport.The unexpected roster changes add an intriguing new dynamic to the Rising Stars showcase, with the potential for unexpected star turns and team dynamics.Washington Today

The 2026 Castrol Rising Stars event has seen some unexpected changes, with Utah Jazz's Ace Bailey and Washington Wizards' Bub Carrington stepping in as injury replacements. Bailey will join Carmelo Anthony's Team Melo, while Carrington will play for Tracy McGrady's Team T-Mac. The games, part of the NBA All-Star 2026 festivities, are set to stream on Peacock on February 13, with the winners competing in the Castrol Rising Stars Championship.

Why it matters

The last-minute changes to the Rising Stars event have added a new dynamic, sparking debates about the balance of talent across the teams. Bailey and Carrington's additions could give their respective teams an unexpected advantage, making the games even more thrilling and unpredictable.

The details

Bailey, a forward for the Jazz, has been on a tear recently, averaging 15.4 points and 5.1 rebounds over his last 15 games. He's set to replace Cooper Flagg on Team Melo, who had to bow out due to a left midfoot sprain. Carrington, a guard for the Wizards, has been making his mark with an impressive three-point shooting percentage of 39.3%, ranking him among the top NBA sophomores. He steps in for Alex Sarr on Team T-Mac.

  • The 2026 Castrol Rising Stars event is set to take place on February 13, 2026.
  • The games will stream on Peacock as part of the NBA All-Star 2026 festivities.

The players

Ace Bailey

A forward for the Utah Jazz who has been on a tear recently, averaging 15.4 points and 5.1 rebounds over his last 15 games.

Bub Carrington

A guard for the Washington Wizards who has been making his mark with an impressive three-point shooting percentage of 39.3%, ranking him among the top NBA sophomores.

Carmelo Anthony

An NBA legend who is coaching Team Melo, which now includes Ace Bailey.

Tracy McGrady

Another NBA icon who is coaching Team T-Mac, which now includes Bub Carrington.

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What’s next

The winners of the Team Melo vs. Team T-Mac and Team Vince vs. Team Austin games will compete in the Castrol Rising Stars Championship.

The takeaway

The unexpected additions of Ace Bailey and Bub Carrington to the Rising Stars event have added a new level of excitement and debate around the balance of talent across the teams. Fans will be eager to see how these rising stars perform under the guidance of NBA legends Carmelo Anthony and Tracy McGrady.