Nique Clifford News, Rumors, Updates - Sacramento Kings

Nique Clifford has major added to pieces to his game the Kings love As he finally acclimatizes to the NBA, the Sacramento Kings' Nique Clifford has gained the confidence and aggression he needs to be an impac...

6 HOURS AGO • AROYALPAIN.COM

Paces team in spot start Clifford produced 30 points (12-19 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals across 40 minutes during Saturday's 132-126 loss to the Cavaliers.

Impact Clifford had an excellent outing while filling in for Zach LaVine (finger). While the rookie hasn't done enough to merit ROY consideration, the 2025 first-round pick is set up to see more time due to key departures from Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder. Since Sacramento's playoff aspirations are shot, the team may opt to move Cliford past Malik Monk in the rotation and give the rookie more opportunities. He's worth a stash in deeper leagues.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Nique Clifford, Russell Westbrook & Coach Christie | Postgame Interviews 2.7.26

1 DAY AGO • YOUTUBE

CAVALIERS at KINGS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | February 7, 2026

1 DAY AGO • YOUTUBE

Harden scores 23 in Cavaliers debut, Mitchell leads with 35 in 132-126 win over Kings

James Harden scores 23 points in his Cavaliers debut, helping Cleveland secure a 132-126 victory over Sacramento

1 DAY AGO • Associated Press

Starting sans LaVine Clifford will start against the Cavaliers on Saturday, Matt George of ABC 10 Sacramento reports.

Impact The rookie first-rounder will get the starting nod due to Zach LaVine (finger) being sidelined. As a starter this season (seven games), Clifford has averaged 6.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals in 29.1 minutes per contest.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Kawhi Leonard's 31 points lift Clippers over Kings, handing Sacramento 11th straight loss

Kawhi Leonard scores 31 points to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 114-111 victory over Sacramento

2 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Grizzlies beat Sacramento 129-125, send Kings to their season-worst 10th straight loss

Cam Spencer hit three key baskets late in the fourth quarter and finished with 20 points, and Ty Jerome added 28 as the Memphis Grizzlies beat Sacramento 129-125, sending the Kings...

4 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Starting Sunday Clifford will start Sunday's game against the Wizards, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee reports.

Impact Clifford enters the starting lineup for the fourth time over the last five games due to the departure of Dennis Schroder. In his previous three starts, Clifford posted averages of 8.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals in 30.0 minutes per contest.

FEBRUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Nique Clifford & Coach Christie | Postgame Interviews 1.30.26

FEBRUARY 1 • YOUTUBE

Coming off bench Friday Clifford is not in the Kings' starting lineup against the Celtics on Friday, Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.

Impact The rookie first-rounder has started in each of the Kings' last three games, but he'll revert to a bench role Friday while Zach LaVine reenters the starting lineup. Clifford struggled during Thursday's loss against the 76ers, when he finished with two points (1-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt), six rebounds, two assists and one block over 27 minutes.

JANUARY 31 • ROTOWIRE

There's one reason the Kings have a problem with Devin Carter and not Nique Clifford Despite both players underperforming, the Sacramento Kings have given up on Devin Carter and not Nique Clifford.

JANUARY 27 • AROYALPAIN.COM

Zach LaVine didn't play in Detroit, opening the door for a Kings' rookie The Sacramento Kings took on the Detroit Pistons without Zach LaVine, but that gave Nique Clifford a chance to start the game.

JANUARY 26 • AROYALPAIN.COM

Hits for 15 in spot start Clifford finished with 15 points (6-13 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 1-4 FT), three rebounds, one assist and one block in 33 minutes during Sunday's 139-116 loss to the Pistons.

Impact With Zach LaVine (back) unavailable, Clifford made his first start since Dec. 11 and scored in double digits for the first time in January. The 24th overall pick in the 2025 Draft has been able to maintain a steady role in the backcourt rotation for the Kings, but as yet Clifford isn't making a consistent impact at either end of the court.

JANUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Another quiet showing Clifford contributed nine points (4-10 FG, 1-4 3Pt), three rebounds, one assist and one block across 24 minutes during Tuesday's 130-117 loss to Miami.

Impact With Zach LaVine now healthy, Clifford's path to fantasy relevance remains blocked by a healthy Kings backcourt. The rookie swingman has averaged 4.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 18.2 minutes per contest across 11 games in the month of January.

JANUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Muted production continues Clifford finished with eight points (4-9 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 0-1 FT) and two rebounds across 22 minutes during Sunday's 111-98 win over the Rockets.

Impact Clifford's playing time is stable, with Malik Monk in and out of the lineup all season long, but Clifford's fantasy appeal remains very limited. The rookie first-rounder has scored in single digits in six straight contests, also failing to log at least three boards or two dimes in each of these appearances.

JANUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

It's time the Kings turned one rookie loose and see what happens Considering how badly the season is going for the Sacramento Kings, there's no harm in putting Nique Clifford in as the starting center and...

JANUARY 4 • AROYALPAIN.COM

Quiet in loss Clifford notched three points (1-4 FG, 1-2 3Pt), two rebounds and one assist over 19 minutes during Friday's 129-102 loss to Phoenix.

Impact Clifford continues to deal with the ups and downs of being a rookie on a bad team. Despite some encouraging signs over the past two weeks, Clifford remains nothing more than a stash candidate in most fantasy formats. In eight appearances during that time, he has averaged 9.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.4 three-pointers.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Nique Clifford finally had the game Kings' fans had been waiting for Nique Clifford led the Sacramento Kings in scoring against the Clippers, proving everyone who saw his potential right.

JANUARY 1 • AROYALPAIN.COM

Scores team-high 18 points in loss Clifford ended Tuesday's 131-90 loss to the Clippers with 18 points (7-12 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 1-1 FT), one rebound, two assists and one block in 29 minutes.

Impact The Kings were a mess against the Clippers, as no one in the starting lineup scored more than 12 points. Clifford stepped in for relief and cleaned up once the game was out of hand, and he finished as the most productive Sacramento player by a wide margin. The 2025 first-round pick has had some stellar moments during his rookie season, and although his average of 5.8 points over 29 games doesn't jump off the page, the Colorado State product's talent is evident.

DECEMBER 31, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Kings' rookie trio does it again (and set the stage for more wins) The Sacramento Kings' rookie trio of Maxime Raynaud, Nique Clifford, and Dylan Cardwell have become the bedrock of the franchise.

DECEMBER 28, 2025 • AROYALPAIN.COM

Another intriguing performance Clifford supplied eight points (3-10 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), nine rebounds, one assist and two steals over 20 minutes during Saturday's 113-107 win over the Mavericks.

Impact Clifford continues to flash some tasty upside, flirting with what would have been the first double-double of his career. While his role remains relatively inconsistent, his ability to contribute across multiple categories makes him an intriguing fantasy prospect. Over his past four games, Clifford has averaged 10.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.3 three-pointers. He is certainly someone to keep an eye on, especially if Sacramento opts to go with a youth movement later in the season.

DECEMBER 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Westbrook passes Magic Johnson for 7th place in career assists as Kings beat Mavericks 113-107

Russell Westbrook scored 21 points and moved past Magic Johnson for seventh place on the NBA’s career assists list while leading the Sacramento Kings to a 113-107 win over the Dall...

DECEMBER 28, 2025 • Associated Press

Nique Clifford shone in the second half of Kings' loss (and gave fans hope) Nique Clifford is starting to become the franchise player Sacramento Kings' fans were hoping he would be, and is key to the team's future pl...

DECEMBER 27, 2025 • AROYALPAIN.COM

Nique Clifford, Precious Achiuwa & Coach Christie | Postgame Interviews 12.23.25

DECEMBER 24, 2025 • YOUTUBE

NIQUE CLIFFORD NEWS

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Harden scores 23 in Cavaliers debut, Mitchell leads with 35 in 132-126 win over Kings

Kawhi Leonard's 31 points lift Clippers over Kings, handing Sacramento 11th straight loss

Grizzlies beat Sacramento 129-125, send Kings to their season-worst 10th straight loss

Westbrook passes Magic Johnson for 7th place in career assists as Kings beat Mavericks 113-107