Clifford provided 18 points (7-16 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-3 FT), four rebounds, eight assists, one block and two steals in 41 minutes during Wednesday's 117-109 loss to Charlotte.
Clifford continues to make the most of a good thing, logging at least 31 minutes for the sixth time in the past seven games. Although his percentages have been somewhat of an issue, his ability to chip in across multiple categories has him positioned as a must-roster player. During that seven-game period, Clifford has averaged 13.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 three-pointers, good enough for borderline top-90 value.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Fills up box score in win
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Clifford finished Sunday's 126-110 victory over the Bulls with eight points (3-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt), six rebounds, three assists, one block and two steals over 31 minutes.
The rookie first-rounder is benefiting from Sacramento's youth movement, starting five consecutive games and playing significant minutes. Clifford has averaged 12.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.6 steals in 34.4 minutes per game during this span, so he's showing some promise on both ends of the court.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Solid final line in victory
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Clifford posted 13 points (6-19 FG, 1-6 3Pt), eight rebounds, seven assists, one block and two steals across 39 minutes during Thursday's 130-121 win over the Mavericks.
Clifford had a tough time getting his shot to fall, but his sheer volume helped him score in double digits for a third straight game. He also dished out a career-high seven assists. Clifford jumped into the starting lineup Thursday with Keegan Murray (ankle) and Russell Westbrook (thigh) sidelined, but the rookie figures to return to a bench role once Sacramento shakes the injury bug.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Nabs four more steals in Houston
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Clifford notched 15 points (6-11 FG, 3-7 3Pt), two rebounds, one assist and four steals in 29 minutes off the bench during Wednesday's 128-97 loss to the Rockets.
The rookie wing has suddenly become a terror on the defensive end of the court, recording 12 steals over the last three games and multiple pilfers in eight of the last 13. Over that stretch, which includes six starts prior to the All-Star break, Clifford has averaged 11.2 points, 4.0 boards, 3.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.5 threes in 31.6 minutes. Keegan Murray aggravated his ankle issue Wednesday after playing only nine minutes. If he ends up missing significant time once again due to the injury, Clifford would likely rejoin the starting five.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Moved to bench vs. Orlando
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Clifford is not in the Kings' starting lineup against the Magic on Thursday, Brenden Nunes of KHTK Sactown Sports 1140 reports.
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 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.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Can't get shot to fall
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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.
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 racked up two steals in three of his last four outings.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Paces team in spot start
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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.
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 to see more time due to the key departures of Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder. Since Sacramento's playoff aspirations are shot, the team may opt to move Clifford past Malik Monk in the rotation and give the rookie more opportunities. He's worth a stash in deeper leagues.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Starting sans LaVine
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Clifford will start against the Cavaliers on Saturday, Matt George of ABC 10 Sacramento reports.
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.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Starting Sunday
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Clifford will start Sunday's game against the Wizards, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee reports.
Clifford enters the starting lineup for the fourth time over the last five games, on this occasion due to the departure of Dennis Schroder via trade. 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.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Hits for 15 in spot start
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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.
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.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Muted production continues
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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.
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.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Quiet in loss
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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.
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.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Scores team-high 18 points in loss
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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.
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.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Scores 12 points against Blazers
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Clifford racked up 12 points (5-11 FG, 2-6 3Pt), five rebounds, one assist and two steals across 29 minutes during Saturday's 98-93 loss to the Trail Blazers.
Clifford's 11 field goal attempts tied his season high, and he scored in double figures for the fourth time this year. The rookie wing has stepped into a larger role during December, averaging 6.6 points and 2.7 rebounds across 20.7 minutes per game.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Back with Sacramento
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The Kings recalled Clifford from the G League's Stockton Kings on Wednesday, per James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento.
After tallying 16 points (6-13 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds and one steal in 32 minutes during Tuesday's 112-99 G League win over the South Bay Lakers, Clifford is quickly making his way back to the NBA roster. The rookie first-rounder is averaging 16.2 minutes per game over 20 appearances for Sacramento.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Scores 16 points in G League
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Clifford produced 16 points (6-13 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds and one steal in 32 minutes of Tuesday's 112-99 G League win over the South Bay Lakers.
Clifford made his first cameo in the G League on Tuesday, but he's likely to be recalled ahead of Thursday's NBA game against the Nuggets. His role with the parent club has been inconsistent.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Starting Wednesday
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Clifford will be in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Warriors, Matt George of ABC 10 Sacramento reports.
Clifford has come off the bench in all three games he's played this season. The Colorado State product is averaging 3.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 38.5 percent from the field.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Fares well off bench
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Clifford racked up eight points (4-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt), one rebound, three assists and one block in 19 minutes during Monday's 130-124 loss to the Nuggets.
Clifford made his third appearance of the season after a hamstring issue hampered him to open the campaign. Through three appearances, he's shooting 38.5 percent from the field with averages of 3.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 blocks. Malik Monk is currently out for personal reasons, so playing time won't be easy for Clifford to come by once Monk is back in the mix. Clifford's role is likely to grow as the season progresses, to be clear.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Cleared to suit up Saturday
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Clifford (hamstring) is available for Saturday's game against the Bucks, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee reports.
Clifford has missed four straight games and will have a chance to see the court Saturday for the first time since the regular-season opener. The rookie was a focal point of the rotation in his only appearance thus far, playing 24 minutes as a starter. Clifford finished that loss to Phoenix with two points (1-3 FG), eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Out at least one week
Rotowire
Clifford underwent an MRI that confirmed a right hamstring strain, Deuce Mason of NBC Sports California reports. He will be re-evaluated in one week.
The Kings are already shorthanded with Domantas Sabonis recovering from a hamstring issue of his own and Keegan Murray (thumb) out a month-plus. Keon Ellis will likely receive a boost in minutes while potentially being in the starting lineup while Clifford is on the mend. It's possible coach Doug Christie also dusts off Doug McDermott, who was a DNP-CD in the season-opening loss to the Suns.
