Nique Clifford News, Rumors, Updates - Sacramento Kings

Spurs play the Kings on 6-game win streak

San Antonio faces Sacramento looking to extend its six-game win streak

3 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Moved to bench vs. Orlando Clifford is not in the Kings' starting lineup against the Magic on Thursday, Brenden Nunes of KHTK Sactown Sports 1140 reports.

Impact The rookie first-rounder stepped into an expanded role just before the All-Star break, highlighted by his 30-point performance in a loss to the Cavaliers on Feb. 7. Clifford has started in seven of the Kings' last 10 games, but he'll come off the bench Thursday due to the return of Keegan Murray, the latter of whom missed 20 consecutive games since early January because of a sprained left ankle.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Sacramento faces Orlando on 6-game home skid

Sacramento will attempt to break its six-game home losing streak when the Kings face Orlando

5 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Can't get shot to fall Clifford supplied six points (1-15 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 4-5 FT), eight rebounds, six assists and two steals across 38 minutes during Wednesday's 121-93 loss to the Jazz.

Impact Clifford turned in a horrendous shooting line, as he needed 15 attempts from the field to finish with six points. The rookie is converting at a clip of 16.1 percent from the field over his last two appearances, but at least he's been producing elsewhere. Clifford has dished out six assists in back-to-back games and has also racked up two steals in three of his last four outings.

FEBRUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Nique Clifford's performance against the Cavs blew the minds of Kings' fans Rookie Nique Clifford turned in the best performance of his career with the Sacramento Kings against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

FEBRUARY 11 • AROYALPAIN.COM

How Kings G Nique Clifford Can Reach His Full Potential When the Sacramento Kings selected Nique Clifford 24th overall out of Colorado State, he was coming off the highest usage season of his care...

FEBRUARY 11 • SI.COM

Murphy scores 21, Fears 20 as Pelicans send the Kings to their 13th consecutive loss, 120-94

Trey Murphy III made five 3-pointers and finished with 21 points, Jeremiah Fears scored 14 of his 20 in the second half and the New Orleans Pelicans sent the Sacramento Kings to th...

FEBRUARY 10 • Associated Press

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...

FEBRUARY 9 • 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.

FEBRUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

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

FEBRUARY 8 • YOUTUBE

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

FEBRUARY 8 • 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

FEBRUARY 8 • 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.

FEBRUARY 8 • 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

FEBRUARY 7 • 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...

FEBRUARY 5 • 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 NEWS

NEWS

BIO

STATS

VIDEOS

GAME LOG

INJURIES