Kings' Richaun Holmes making progress, could return to practice this week

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SACRAMENTO -- Are reinforcements on the way?

The Kings updated the status of center Richaun Holmes Sunday morning, and the news is encouraging. Per the team’s official release:

“Kings forward Richaun Holmes (right shoulder labral tear) is making progress and is on track with his reconditioning plan. In recent days he has initiated his basketball-specific court progression and is moving into full contact activity with the hope of returning to team practice later this week.”

Holmes, 26, injured his shoulder against the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 6. He returned to right before the All-Star break, but continued to struggle with pain in the joint and had to be shut down.

Three weeks ago, Holmes underwent PRP (platelet-rich plasma) treatments on the shoulder with the hopes of sparking recovery. He has been on the court running and shooting, as well as working out in the weight room, but he is just now moving into the full-contact portion of his rehab.

The injury has already cost Holmes 22 games coming into Sunday’s match up with the Detroit Pistons.

Before the injury, Holmes was averaging 13.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.1 steals in 29.4 minutes per game. The fifth-year big started the previous 33 games at center for Sacramento before the injury.

With Holmes down, Harry Giles and Alex Len have stepped in and made an impact for the Kings. Giles has started eight of the last nine games for the Kings, posting 11.4 points and 7.3 rebounds in 23.6 minutes per game.

[RELATED: Holmes 'definitely ready' to return, boost Kings on both ends]

Len has come off the bench and provided rebounding, shot-blocking and defensive toughness for the Kings.

Sacramento has yet to update the status of second-year big man Marvin Bagley, who has played a total of 13 games this season due to thumb and foot issues. Bagley is out until mid-March at the earliest and hasn’t ruled out missing the remainder of the season.

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