Clifford will start Sunday's game against the Nets, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.
Clifford returned from a two-game absence Saturday and struggled, making just one of 11 shots from the floor. Clifford will return to a starting role for the second half of the team's back-to-back set. Over his last five starts, he holds averages of 12.2 points, 5.0 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 33.2 minutes per contest.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Nique Clifford: Goes 1-for-11 in return
Rotowire
Clifford (foot) finished Saturday's 123-113 loss to the Hawks with three points (1-11 FG, 1-6 3Pt), five assists, four rebounds and one block over 23 minutes.
Clifford was given the green light to return from a two-game absence due to a left mid-foot sprain. He came off the bench in his return but struggled mightily from the field, with the 1-for-11 performance dropping his field-goal percentage to 40.2 percent on the campaign. The rookie first-round pick should see plenty of playing time down the stretch for the non-contending Kings, and while he should be able to put up serviceable counting statistics, he'll likely remain a drain in the field-goal and free-throw percentage categories.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Nique Clifford: Available versus Atlanta
Rotowire
Clifford (foot) is available to play in Saturday's game against Atlanta.
Clifford was anticipated to miss a week. However, the left mid-foot sprain caused him to miss only two games. The 24th overall pick in the 2025 Draft will presumably reclaim his spot in the starting lineup. With Killian Hayes (finger) also available, Malik Monk, Daeqwon Plowden and Devin Carter might see less work.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Nique Clifford: Out at least one week
Rotowire
The Kings announced Monday that Clifford has been diagnosed with a left mid-foot sprain following an MRI and will be re-evaluated in one week, Sean Cunningham of Fox 40 Sacramento reports.
Clifford sustained the injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday's win over the Nets, and he'll be sidelined for at least the next four games as a result. With the Kings holding a record of 19-53, it wouldn't be surprising if the club exercised caution with the rookie first-round pick and shut him down for good if he hasn't made any notable progress when he's re-evaluated. Devin Carter, Daeqwon Plowden (foot) and Malik Monk are candidates to see expanded roles for as long as Clifford is sidelined.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Nique Clifford: Won't play Tuesday
Rotowire
Clifford has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Hornets due to left foot soreness.
Clifford exited Sunday's win over the Nets in the fourth quarter due to what the team initially labeled as a left ankle issue, but he's now being listed with a foot injury and will miss at least one contest. The rookie had started in each of his past 11 appearances and has been logging heavy minutes, so his absence will create a significant void on the wing. The Kings could turn to Malik Monk, Devin Carter and Daeqwon Plowden (foot) for increased action Tuesday.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Nique Clifford: Won't return Sunday
Rotowire
Clifford (ankle) won't return to Sunday's game versus the Nets. He'll finish with seven points (2-4 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds, four assists and one steal across 27 minutes.
With Clifford and Killian Hayes (toe) exiting Sunday's contest early, the Kings will have only eight available players to finish the game. Expect more minutes for Malik Monk, Doug McDermott and Devin Carter while Clifford is out.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Nique Clifford: Questionable for Thursday
Rotowire
Clifford is questionable to play Thursday against the 76ers due to soreness in his left hamstring.
We'll have a better idea on Clifford's status based on his activity level at shootaround, but if he is forced to the sidelines, there would be more minutes available for Daeqwon Plowden and Doug McDermott. Check back for official word on Clifford's status closer to Thursday's tipoff.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Nique Clifford: Posts decent line in blowout loss
Rotowire
Clifford finished with 15 points (6-13 FG, 3-4 3Pt), eight rebounds and seven assists across 37 minutes during Tuesday's 132-104 loss to the Spurs.
Clifford logged the second-most minutes on the team during a lackluster performance from most of the squad. Clifford and Maxime Raynaud were the primary offensive catalysts during the blowout, and both players seem poised to be part of a youthful core that will likely remain on the roster when the team executes a complete overhaul. The 2025 first-round pick didn't do enough to make waves in the ROY race, but the Colorado State product has earned 20 starts this season and will likely continue that trend as the season winds down.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Nique Clifford: Fills up box score in win
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Nique Clifford: Solid final line in victory
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Nique Clifford: Moved to bench vs. Orlando
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Nique Clifford: Can't get shot to fall
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Nique Clifford: Paces team in spot start
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Nique Clifford: Starting sans LaVine
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Nique Clifford: Starting Sunday
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Nique Clifford: Hits for 15 in spot start
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Nique Clifford: Muted production continues
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Nique Clifford: Quiet in loss
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Nique Clifford: Scores team-high 18 points in loss
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Nique Clifford: Scores 12 points against Blazers
Rotowire
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.
