Nique Clifford News, Rumors, Updates - Sacramento Kings

Doug Christie must bench surprising Kings players to win The Sacramento Kings have to lean into young stars like Nique Clifford if they want to improve this season.

OCTOBER 26 • AROYALPAIN.COM

Doncic leads Los Angeles against Sacramento after 43-point game

Los Angeles takes on the Sacramento Kings after Luka Dončić scored 43 points in the Lakers' 119-109 loss to the Golden State Warriors

OCTOBER 25 • Associated Press

Kings' Nique Clifford just gave NBA rookies the perfect blueprint they need to follow Before entering the NBA Draft, Nique Clifford did the full run in college, helping him develop as a player and person before joining the Sac...

OCTOBER 25 • AROYALPAIN.COM

Suffers hamstring strain Clifford underwent an MRI that confirmed a right hamstring strain, Deuce Mason of NBC Sports California reports.

Impact Clifford will have his hamstring issue re-evaluated in a week. Keon Ellis will likely receive a boost in minutes while potentially being in the starting lineup while Clifford is on the mend.

OCTOBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Part of first unit Clifford will start Wednesday's game against the Suns, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee reports.

Impact Clifford draws the start in his first NBA regular season game, stepping into the starting small forward position as a result of Keegan Murray's (thumb) injury. Dennis Schroder, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Drew Eubanks make up the rest of Sacramento's starting five.

OCTOBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

When it comes to this rookie King, DeMar DeRozan is a believer DeMar DeRozan is impressed with what he's seen from the Sacramento Kings' rookies, particularly Nique Clifford.

OCTOBER 22 • AROYALPAIN.COM

Kings gave Nique Clifford the shot he's already earned Beset by injuries and illness, the Sacramento Kings made big changes to their starting lineup, which included rookie Nique Clifford.

OCTOBER 18 • AROYALPAIN.COM

Logs team-high 33 minutes in win Clifford posted 13 points (5-12 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven assists, five rebounds and a steal over 33 minutes in Friday's 117-116 preseason win over the Lakers.

Impact Clifford leading the team in minutes was an encouraging sign that he will have a role with the Kings to begin the season, especially with Keegan Murray (thumb) out until at least the middle of November. While he started in the preseason finale in place of DeMar DeRozan (groin), Clifford will likely be relegated to a prominent role within the second unit in the team's season opener Wednesday against the Suns.

OCTOBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Logs team-high 33 minutes in win Clifford posted 13 points (5-12 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven assists, five rebounds and a steal over 33 minutes in Friday's 117-116 preseason win over the Lakers.

OCTOBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Starting sans DeRozan Clifford will start in Friday's preseason game against the Lakers, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact With DeMar DeRozan (groin) sidelined in the Kings' preseason finale, Clifford will get the starting nod. The rookie first-round pick could see increased playing time to begin the regular season due to Keegan Murray (thumb) being on the shelf.

OCTOBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Starting sans DeRozan Clifford will start in Friday's preseason game against the Lakers, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.

OCTOBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Scores team-high 19 points Clifford produced 19 points (8-13 FG, 1-1 FT, 2-5 3Pt), three rebounds and a steal across 20 minutes in Wednesday's 109-91 loss to the Kings.

Impact Clifford is followng up a stellar Summer League with standout performances in the preseason. He can fill a few different positions as a second-unit replacement, where the first-round pick should rise to the cusp of fantasy relevancy. The team was a bit short-handed due to Keegan Murray's (thumb) injury, but Clifford is likely to earn comparable minutes when the team is full healthy.

OCTOBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

The Kings must double down on an elite rookie after Murray's injury The Sacramento Kings have an opportunity to push Nique Clifford after Keegan Murray's injury.

OCTOBER 14 • AROYALPAIN.COM

Scores 15 off bench in loss Clifford finished with 15 points (5-11 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 3-3 FT), three rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block across 26 minutes during Friday's 124-123 preseason loss to the Tr...

Impact Clifford led the way off the bench, as one of only two players, Zach LaVine being the other, to score 15 or more points Friday. The rookie guard was given the time to show what he could do during this one-point loss, playing a team-high 26 minutes.

OCTOBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Nique Clifford is already making the Kings rethink their regular season rotation Rookie Nique Clifford stepped off the bench for the Sacramento Kings against the Toronto Raptors and proved he belongs in the NBA.

OCTOBER 9 • AROYALPAIN.COM

Dished out nine assists Clifford finished with 10 points (3-7 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-4 FT), three rebounds, nine assists and two steals across 24 minutes during Wednesday's 120-122 preseason loss to the Raptors.

Impact Clifford came one assist shy of recording a double-double, as he provided a spark off the bench. The Colorado State product also made an impact during the Las Vegas Summer League, showing the ability to fill up the stat sheet, especially crashing the glass and as a distributor.

OCTOBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Keegan Murray & Nique Clifford | Shootaround Presser 10.8.2025

OCTOBER 8 • YOUTUBE

Kings' Doug Christie explains why he has been impressed with Nique Clifford Kings coach Doug Christie has been impressed by Nique Clifford early and believes the rookie is further ahead than initially thought in some...

OCTOBER 4 • USATODAY.COM

Nique Clifford is thrilled to work with NBA legend Zach LaVine has emerged as Nique Clifford's mentor on the Sacramento Kings.

OCTOBER 4 • AROYALPAIN.COM

Kings Rookie Already Learning from All-Star Teammates Sacramento Kings rookie Nique Clifford is already working closely with the veteran guards on the team.

OCTOBER 3 • SI.COM

Kings rookie Nique Clifford worked out with Devin Carter, others Kings rookie Nique Clifford was among the players spotted working out at the practice facility in a video posted on Thursday.

AUGUST 28 • USATODAY.COM

Kings' Nique Clifford explains the meaning behind his new jersey number After wearing two jersey numbers in college, Nique Clifford will have a new look next season as he begins his career with the Kings.

AUGUST 24 • USATODAY.COM

Kings' Nique Clifford, others named to 2025 NBA All-Summer League first team Kings rookie Nique Clifford was among the players selected to the 2025 NBA All-Summer League first team for games played in Las Vegas.

JULY 22 • USATODAY.COM

Knueppel scores 21 as Hornets win first NBA Summer League title by holding off the Kings

The Charlotte Hornets won their first NBA Summer League title by beating the Sacramento Kings 83-78

JULY 21 • Associated Press

Kings' Nique Clifford recognized as a top summer league performer Nique Clifford has had a productive run in summer league with the Kings, and the 24th pick is among the leaders in one metric.

JULY 20 • USATODAY.COM

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Doncic leads Los Angeles against Sacramento after 43-point game

Knueppel scores 21 as Hornets win first NBA Summer League title by holding off the Kings