'Last year, I was just popping, mainly because I didn't fully trust my Achilles,' Holmes said. 'Now I feel more comfortable getting up.'

Fourteen seconds after checking in to start the fourth, Holmes dunked an Alpha Diallo lob. He finished with eight points on 3-of-4 in 12 minutes.

'He's in amazing shape. Shoots the hell out of the ball,' David Adelman said, adding that center is his best path for now.

Denver traded up to No. 22 for Holmes in 2024. It has until the end of October to decide on his $5.5 million fourth-year option.

A big who can roll and finish above the rim is useful behind Nikola Jokić. Denver closes the preseason against the Lakers on Friday.

David Adelman speaks after a Nuggets win at Houston, Nov. 22, 2025. Photo by Houston Roundball Review Media Group, CC-BY-4.0, resized.

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