ORLANDO -- Norris Cole was not selected to play in the Rising Stars Challenge during Orlando’s NBA All-Star weekend. As a minor consolation, he did earn the first start of his career Wednesday at Amway Center.

Cole received the promotion after Mario Chalmers injured his left hand Tuesday against the Cavaliers. Chalmers was scratched from the lineup about an hour before the game. It’s a day-to-day injury and will be revaluated Thursday when the team arrives in Washington.

“It’s just a little sore today, and I didn’t want to take the risk of getting it injured further,” Chalmers said.

The injury comes at a terrible time for Chalmers, who was enjoying one of the best three-point shooting streaks of his career. He was 4 of 9 from three-point range against the Cavaliers. In his past five games, Chalmers is shooting 56.7 percent on three-point attempts (17 of 30).

Chalmers injured his left hand at the end of the third quarter Tuesday.

“I think I got it caught in someone’s jersey,” Chalmers said. “My finger bent back, and the top of my hand is just real sore.”

Cole, who did not speak with reporters before Wednesday’s game, missed out on the Rising Stars Challenge. Though he’s the sixth-leading scorer among NBA rookies, he was up against some stiff competition, including Pistons rookie Brandon Knight of Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest.

“He’s been very important to us,” coach Erik Spoelstra said of Cole. “I hope he isn’t bummed out about it because he’s had a terrific start to the season. He’s playing for a contending team. That’s what matters most. He would have loved to have been a part of that weekend, and you can debate that he earned it, but he has a role with us. He has a bright future to look forward to.”

Knight was one of five rookie guards to be selected to participate in the game. The others were Kemba Walker (Bobcats), MarShon Brooks (Nets), Kyrie Irving (Cavaliers) and Ricky Rubio (Timberwolves).

Other rookies include Kawhi Leonard (Spurs), Markieff Morris (Suns), Tristan Thompson (Cavaliers) and Derrick Williams (Timberwolves).

Formerly the Rookie Game, the Rising Stars Challenge is a mixture of first- and second-year players. The game will be played Friday Feb. 24 at Amway Center as part of the All-Star festivities. TNT analysts Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal will select the teams.

Doing the math

As for Spoelstra, he wouldn’t be too “bummed” if he wasn’t tabbed to coach the East All-Stars. The Bulls are currently in first place in the Eastern Conference, meaning Bulls coach Tom Thibodeaux would get the nod. The Bulls must lose at least one more game for the Heat to have a chance mathematically to take first place before Feb.15, the cutoff date.

“It really is an amazing weekend, and we’ve been a part of it,” Spoelstra said. “I was on [ Stan Van Gundy’s] staff when we went out to Denver for the All-Star weekend. It’s an awesome event … for the players.”

Spoelstra also indicated that he’s not really concerned with who makes the team as a reserve. He put his assistants in charge of filling out his ballot.

“They’re going to give me their suggestions and I’ll look at it in due time,” Spoelstra said. “It’s been compacted. I’ve been trying to get to that. Otherwise, it’s Ron Rothstein’s decision.”