Nuggets Assign Rookie Forward to G League Before Thunder Game

DaRon Holmes II will spend time with the Grand Rapids Gold before Denver's matchup with OKC.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The Denver Nuggets have assigned rookie forward DaRon Holmes II to their G League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Gold, ahead of their upcoming game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Holmes has been shifting between the Nuggets' main roster and the G League this season, and this latest move suggests the team wants him to get more playing time before a key regular season matchup.

Why it matters

The Nuggets are in the midst of a tight playoff race in the Western Conference, so every game down the stretch is crucial. Sending Holmes to the G League could indicate the team is confident in their frontcourt rotation and wants to ensure he is getting sufficient playing time to continue developing, rather than having limited minutes in the NBA.

The details

Holmes has been active for 15 games with the Nuggets this season, averaging 4.3 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in just over 10 minutes per game. He recently had one of his best performances of the year, scoring 11 points in just 7 minutes against the Knicks. Nuggets head coach David Adelman praised Holmes' effort in that game, even as the team suffered a blowout loss. Now, the Nuggets are sending the rookie to the G League to get more playing time before a key game against the Thunder.

  • Holmes has been shifting between the Nuggets and G League all season.
  • He has been active for 15 games with the Nuggets leading up to the Thunder matchup.
  • The Nuggets play the Thunder on March 11, 2026.

The players

DaRon Holmes II

A rookie forward for the Denver Nuggets who has been splitting time between the NBA and G League this season.

David Adelman

The head coach of the Denver Nuggets, who has been vocally supportive of Holmes' recent performances.

Grand Rapids Gold

The G League affiliate of the Denver Nuggets, where Holmes will be spending time before rejoining the NBA roster.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Nuggets' upcoming opponent, a key regular season matchup for Denver as they fight for playoff positioning in the Western Conference.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah, that's not why we got our ass kicked. It's because guys just let go of it, they didn't compete... Outside of DaRon Holmes, I'd say nobody competed.”

— David Adelman, Head Coach, Denver Nuggets (Instagram)

What’s next

The Nuggets will face the Thunder on March 11, 2026, and it remains to be seen if Holmes will rejoin the main roster in time for that game after his stint with the Grand Rapids Gold.

The takeaway

The Nuggets' decision to assign DaRon Holmes II to the G League shows they are focused on developing their young talent while also maintaining a competitive rotation for their playoff push. This move highlights the team's commitment to ensuring Holmes gets sufficient playing time to continue improving, even if it means temporarily sending him down to the affiliate.