DaRon Holmes returns healthy

Jul 10, 2025 2:49 PM

After suffering a devastating injury during last year’s Summer League, Denver Nuggets forward/center DaRon Holmes is heading back to Las Vegas with a renewed sense of purpose and determination.

Holmes, who tore his right Achilles tendon during the 2024 Summer League, is now fully healthy and ready to make his long-awaited debut in NBA action, according to The Denver Post’s Bennett Durando.

The Nuggets had high hopes for Holmes when they selected him with the 22nd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, even trading up to secure him.

However, those plans were put on hold when the Achilles injury forced him to miss his entire rookie season. Now, after months of rehabilitation and mental preparation, Holmes will return to the Summer League court Thursday night with no restrictions.

“It can be pretty difficult, because you have to trust what the trainers are saying [while recovering],” Holmes explained. “So if they’re like, ‘Hey, we don’t want you coming back in the gym tonight – rest your legs, rest your Achilles,’ I might try to fight back and say no, I want to get shots up. But I have to listen to what they have to say. They went to school for eight-plus years doing that. I grew up playing basketball. So that’s the fight. It’s more of a mental thing. But I listen to what they have to say. And I trust my form. I’ve been still getting up shots, but I listen if they say [to rest].”

Holmes’ commitment to his recovery process and his trust in the Nuggets’ medical staff has paid off, and now the focus shifts to his role within the team.

Although he views himself as a natural power forward, Holmes is expected to log time at both the four and the five positions during Summer League.

Standing at 6’9″, he’s considered slightly undersized for a traditional center, but his versatility and defensive instincts give the Nuggets options in their frontcourt rotation.

“Anywhere they put me, I’ll be comfortable playing,” Holmes said confidently. “I spent a lot of summer time playing the five. … I trust what the coaches have. I trust this team, the organization.”

With the Nuggets expected to evaluate their frontcourt depth heading into the 2025–26 season, Holmes will likely compete for minutes at the backup power forward spot, a role currently shared by Zeke Nnaji and Peyton Watson.

The Summer League will offer the first real look at Holmes in game action – and a chance for him to prove that he’s ready to contribute after a year of resilience and recovery.