Nuggets’ first-round pick DaRon Holmes II likely out for season in brutal injury news

DaRon Holmes II’s rookie season likely is over before it started.

Drafted No. 22 overall by the Suns and traded to the Nuggets, Holmes suffered a torn Achilles and is expected to miss the entire 2024-25 season, according to reports.

The 6-foot-9 former Dayton star was injured during the Nuggets’ first game in the Las Vegas Summer League.

He reportedly left the arena on crutches.

“Obviously he’s new around here,” Julian Strawther, the Nuggets’ first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, told reporters following the game, “but he just brings such a positive energy.”

Holmes was playing defense against the Clippers under the basket, and he left his feet to defend a jump pass before landing awkwardly on his right leg.

Holmes was expected to play a big role as a top frontcourt reserve for the Nuggets in their quest to get back to the NBA Finals after last season’s loss to the Timberwolves in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals.

The Nuggets ranked No. 25 in the NBA in bench scoring last season.

Holmes collected 11 points and seven rebounds in 26 minutes before the injury.

He started all 33 games for Dayton as a junior and averaged 20.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists.

Holmes said last week following a practice that he was “excited” to play in the Las Vegas Summer League — and showcase his versatility — with the other Nuggets players.

Dario Saric and Vlatko Cancar could step into bigger roles for the Nuggets without Holmes.