Welcome to the DaRon Holmes show. You probably didn't think you'd be tuning into this program in 2025-26 with Nikola Jokic and Jonas Valančiūnas occupying the center rotation. But now both of those guys are slated to miss extended time, so last year's first-round draft pick is thrust into a huge role.
Holmes' playing time had been virtually nonexistent before both Nuggets' centers went down with injuries. That's not a knock on David Adelman at all; Holmes missed all of last year after tearing his Achilles, so 2025-26 serves as his rookie season. Plus, with the best player in basketball and a reliable backup center also on the roster, there wasn't much space for Holmes.
That's all changed now, obviously. Holmes played 22 minutes on Wednesday, by far the most minutes he's played in a game (he's played in four games, to be fair) and he was awesome. He hit two 3-pointers, made a highly impressive drive-and-kick to Jalen Pickett for a wide open shot, made another highly impressive defensive play in clutch time, and looked way more comfortable than a typical rookie.
There isn't much choice for Adelman going forward; he has to play Holmes a lot. Patience is great, but the Nuggets literally don't have any other centers on the roster. The 23 year-old will have to figure everything out as he goes. And he'll be "going" an awful lot, probably playing around 30 minutes per game. He won't be an offensive hub like Jokic, of course, but he won't be able to just blend in to the game around him, either. He's going to have real responsibilities.
DaRon Holmes must learn on the fly as Denver Nuggets battle injuries
I know that the fan base of a team with legitimate championship hopes probably isn't thrilled about watching young guys develop. That wasn't really the goal this season. But Spencer Jones has already been a thrilling surprise, and now Holmes looks to follow in his footsteps. If Nugs fans are going to be forced into watching an injury-riddled team, the young fill-ins might as well be good!
Holmes is a fascinating player. He was a first-round pick just a year ago, but has mostly been forgotten by the basketball world because he immediately suffered a devastating injury then started his second year with the Nuggets in the G League. This isn't how anyone wanted him to get his opportunity, but here we are. Might as well make the most of it!
DaRon Holmes went from exciting pick to sad injury casualty to afterthought to extremely important player before he's played 10 games in the NBA. No pressure!