Nuggets' 1st-Round Pick DaRon Holmes II Tears Achilles In Summer League Debut, Likely Out For Season
Denver Nuggets rookie DaRon Holmes II is expected to miss the entire season after suffering a torn Achilles during Friday's Summer League game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The injury happened with about four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter while Holmes was playing defense against Kobe Brown. As Brown drove to the basket, Holmes jumped up and landed on his right foot. He then fell to the floor and attempted to move away from under the basket while reaching for his right leg.
The 6-foot-9 big man was eventually able to stand up, but he was clearly hobbling and unable to put weight on his right foot. After play stopped, Holmes limped toward the bench and was taken to the locker room to receive medical attention.
The Nuggets selected Holmes in the first round (No. 22 overall) of the 2024 NBA Draft after an impressive collegiate career at the University of Dayton.
In three seasons at Dayton, Holmes averaged 17.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game and shot 36% on 3-pointers. Last season for the Flyers, he was a consensus second-team All-American and the Atlantic 10’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Denver thought so much of Holmes that the organization sent three second-round picks to the Phoenix Suns to move up six spots and snag him.
DaRon Holmes II tore his Achilles in his Summer League debut.
(Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Prior to the injury, Holmes had a strong Summer League debut. In 26 minutes, he scored 11 points on 4-for-8 shooting from the floor (3-of-3 on 3s) and grabbed seven rebounds.
The injury is a big blow to the Nuggets' depth as Holmes was expected to be a primary backup for Nikola Jokić this season.