Nique Clifford News, Rumors, Updates - Sacramento Kings

Could see larger role Clifford enters his second NBA season after showing flashes as a versatile two-way wing during his rookie campaign.

Impact His ability to defend multiple positions and contribute as a rebounder should keep him in the mix for rotation minutes, though Sacramento's wing depth could make consistent playing time difficult to secure. Continued improvement as a perimeter shooter would go a long way toward expanding his role in 2026-27 after he hit 33.3 percent from beyond the arc as a rookie.

15 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

The Biggest Development Goal for Kings' 3 Sophomores What can Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud, and Dylan Cardwell do to take sophomore leaps heading into their second seasons for the Sacramento...

5 DAYS AGO • SI.COM

Nique Clifford needs to push harder for the Kings to succeed The Sacramento Kings need Nique Clifford to give everything he's got in season two for the rebuild to really get rolling.

6 DAYS AGO • AROYALPAIN.COM

Two Changes Kings Need Nique Clifford to Make Next Season Nique Clifford could take a nice sophomore leap for the Sacramento Kings.

JULY 30 • SI.COM

Resting Friday Clifford (rest) is out for Friday's Summer League game against Charlotte, per Brenden Nunes of KHTK Sactown Sports 1140.

Impact Clifford is getting Friday night off for the Las Vegas Summer League finale. With DeMar DeRozan out of the picture ahead of 2026-27, Clifford could be looking at an expanded role on the wing with the Kings next season.

JULY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out Wednesday Clifford (rest) is out for Wednesday's Summer League game against Boston, per Brenden Nunes of KHTK Sactown Sports 1140.

Impact The Kings are holding Clifford out for the second part of this back-to-back set. His next chance to suit up comes Friday against the Hornets.

JULY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Nique Clifford Quietly Showing All-Around Skillset Next to Acuff Nique Clifford has had a quiet Summer League, but is showing he can do a little bit of everything next to Darius Acuff Jr. for the Sacrament...

JULY 12 • SI.COM

Solid effort in win Clifford supplied 13 points (4-8 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block in 26 minutes during Thursday's 91-85 Summer League win over the Clipper...

Impact Sacramento's first-round pick flashed the polished two-way game that made him one of the most NBA-ready prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft. With DeMar DeRozan moving on, Clifford has a much bigger path to minutes on the wings.

JULY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Will play Monday Clifford (undisclosed) will play in Monday's California Classic Summer League game against the Bucks, Sean Cunningham of Fox 40 Sacramento reports.

Impact Clifford sat out of Sunday's Summer League game for rest purposes, but he will be available Monday. Clifford contributed nine points, four rebounds and three assists in 29 minutes in his previous Summer League outing.

JULY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Inactive versus Warriors Blue Clifford (undisclosed) won't play in Sunday's California Classic Summer League game against Warriors Blue, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.

Impact Despite finishing with only nine points, Clifford hit a late shot from deep lead the Kings to the 79-76 win over the Nets on Saturday. It's unknown if he's dealing with an injury, though it's reasonable to assume he will sit this game out to rest. Clifford's next opportunity to suit up will come Monday night against Milwaukee.

JULY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Sinks game-winning shot Saturday Clifford finished with nine points (4-11 FG, 1-3 3Pt), four rebounds and three assists across 29 minutes in Saturday's 79-76 California Classic Summer League win over Brooklyn.

Impact Clifford didn't shoot well Saturday, though he managed to hit the game-winning three-point shot in the fourth quarter to seal the win for the Kings. The 24-year-old is coming off a quality rookie campaign, averaging 12.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.4 blocks and 1.2 steals in 28 regular-season starts. Clifford may not get as many opportunities to start in 2026-27, barring injuries. However, he should at least receive consistent playing time.

JULY 5 • ROTOWIRE

2026 California Classic Summer League: Kings beat Nets on late 3 Nique Clifford nails a 3 in the final seconds to lead the Kings to a 79-76 win over the Nets in California Classic action.

JULY 5 • NBA.COM

Clifford Highlights Acuff's Passing Before Summer League Debut Sacramento Kings' second-year wing Nique Clifford had nothing but praise for his new teammate, Darius Acuff Jr.

JULY 3 • SI.COM

May have new surroundings next year Clifford could have more competition for playing time in the backcourt after the Kings took Darius Acuff in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Impact Sacramento embraced a youth movement down the stretch of 2025-26, giving Clifford an opportunity to function essentially as a full-time starter following the All-Star break. Acuff projects as the Kings' top point guard for 2026-27, though Clifford's fantasy outlook is still fairly murky. There's a decent possibility that all three of DeMar DeRozan (hamstring), Russell Westbrook (toe) and Precious Achiuwa are playing elsewhere, so Clifford could either be battling to start or for a reserve role during training camp.

JUNE 25 • ROTOWIRE

Season two means finding the next level for Nique Clifford If there's one thing Nique Clifford needs to be his best for the Sacramento Kings, it's a serious confidence boost.

JUNE 15 • AROYALPAIN.COM

Nique Clifford Could Thrive Next to These Kings Draft Prospects The Sacramento Kings could have their backcourt of the future in Nique Clifford and the incoming number seven pick.

MAY 23 • SI.COM

Closes out season strongly Clifford totaled 24 points (10-13 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), seven rebounds, five assists and one block in 39 minutes during Sunday's 122-110 loss to the Trail Blazers.

Impact Clifford was one of the young players who benefited from steady playing time in a struggling Kings team, and his numbers evolved as the season went on. The former Colorado State standout started in 28 of his 75 appearances and posted decent numbers, averaging 8.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per contest while shooting 33.3 percent from beyond the arc. However, his growth after the All-Star break was noticeable, as he averaged 13.2 points, 5.2 boards, 4.0 assists and 1.4 steals in 23 games since the break while shooting 35.9 percent from three.

APRIL 13 • ROTOWIRE

Trail Blazers beat the Kings 122-110 to clinch the No. 8 seed and a play-in spot

Deni Avdija had 25 points and 10 assists, Jrue Holiday scored 23 points, and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Sacramento Kings 122-110 to clinch the No. 8 seed and a spot in the...

APRIL 13 • Associated Press

Kings will bring back coach Doug Christie for a second full season, AP source says

Doug Christie will return for a second full season as coach of the Sacramento Kings despite the team having one of the worst seasons in franchise history

APRIL 12 • Associated Press

Pops for 20 against Golden State Clifford ended with 20 points (5-14 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 8-9 FT), six rebounds and six assists across 38 minutes during Friday's 124-118 win over the Warriors.

Impact The rookie wing is having a productive final stretch of the season. Clifford has started six straight games, averaging 16.5 points, 5.2 boards, 4.0 assists, 1.8 threes and 0.8 steals as the injury-ravaged Kings play out the string.

APRIL 11 • ROTOWIRE

Podziemski, Warriors to visit Raynaud, Kings

The Kings will take on conference foe Golden State

APRIL 10 • Associated Press

Kawhi Leonard scores 26 points to lead the Clippers to a 138-109 win over the Kings

Kawhi Leonard scored 26 points and the Los Angeles Clippers snapped a two-game skid by beating the Sacramento Kings 138-109 to improve their playoff positioning

APRIL 6 • Associated Press

Pours in 23 points Clifford posted 23 points (9-16 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds, six assists and one steal over 39 minutes during Friday's 117-113 victory over the Pelicans.

Impact Clifford started for a third consecutive game and bounced back from a tepid nine-point effort against the Raptors. Clifford's increased involvement could be a preview of next season, as the Kings are likely to unload veteran talent to pay a high first-round pick.

APRIL 4 • ROTOWIRE

Raynaud scores 28 points to help the Kings beat the Pelicans

Rookie Maxime Raynaud scored 28 points and the Sacramento Kings overcame a 17-point, first-half deficit to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 117-113 on Friday night

APRIL 4 • Associated Press

Nets rout Kings 116-99 to end 10-game losing streak

Ochai Agbaji scored 18 points in 25 minutes off the bench and the Brooklyn Nets snapped a 10-game losing streak with a 116-99 win over the Sacramento Kings

MARCH 30 • Associated Press

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