Nuggets’ DaRon Holmes Tears Achilles In Summer League Debut

Denver Nuggets first-round pick DaRon Holmes suffered a torn Achilles during the fourth quarter of his first NBA Summer League game Friday night and will potentially miss the entire 2024-25 season, per sources.

Denver Nuggets traded up six spots in the 2024 NBA draft to select DaRon Holmes 22nd overall out of Dayton

Holmes, who turns 22 on Aug. 15, suffered the injury during the Nuggets’ 88-78 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in their Summer League opener.

Following an awkward landing while attempting to contest a pass from Kobe Brown with about 4:15 remaining, Holmes limped off the court without any help and barely any weight on his right leg.

He left UNLV’s Cox Pavilion arena on crutches.

Holmes finished with 11 points and seven rebounds in 26 minutes of action. The Nuggets traded up six spots in the NBA draft to select Holmes No. 22 overall out of Dayton. The injury is a significant loss to the Nuggets’ frontcourt.

At 6-foot-9 and 235 pounds, Holmes was projected to become the primary backup forward for Denver this season. The Nuggets must now rely on Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson as their top two power forwards.

However, at least Denver is also getting back Vlatko Cancar from a torn ACL. Besides Holmes, Dario Saric is the only true newcomer to the roster.

Holmes averaged career highs of 20.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists last season at Dayton

Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth praised Holmes after the draft.

“I don’t think all rookies are made the same. I think you have the 18- or 19-year-old guys that may or may not have more upside,” Booth said.

“And then you have some other guys that are accomplished, that do a lot and for all intensive purposes may be more ready for high-pressure NBA games than some guys on NBA rosters, that have been in the league for two or three years.

“In that sense, I think DaRon is one of those guys. Has a high IQ. Knows how to play in different styles and different scenarios.”

In his final year of college basketball at Dayton in the 2023-24 season, Holmes averaged career highs of 20.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. He won Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.