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.
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.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Pops for 20 against Golden State
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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.
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.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Pours in 23 points
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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.
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 pursue a high first-round pick.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Goes 1-for-11 in return
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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.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Back in starting lineup
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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.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Available versus Atlanta
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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.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Not starting in return
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Clifford won't start Saturday's game against the Hawks, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.
The rookie first-rounder is available to return from a two-game absence due to a left mid-foot sprain, though Malik Monk will remain in the starting five. Over 46 appearances off the bench this season, Clifford has averaged 6.3 points and 2.8 rebounds in 19.7 minutes per contest.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Questionable to face Atlanta
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Clifford (foot) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Hawks.
It was reported Monday that Clifford was expected to miss at least one week due to a left mid-foot sprain, though there's a chance he will return Saturday. If the rookie first-rounder is cleared to play, there would be fewer minutes available for guys like Daeqwon Plowden, Devin Carter and Malik Monk.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Out at least one week
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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.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Won't play Tuesday
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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.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Won't return Sunday
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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.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Exits to locker room
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Clifford exited to the locker room after sustaining an apparent left ankle injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against the Nets, Frankie Cartoscelli of KHTK Sactown Sports 1140 reports.
Clifford seemingly turned his left ankle before grabbing at it and limping to the locker room. If he's unable to return for the already shorthanded Kings, Malik Monk and Doug McDermott will likely help pick up the slack the rest of the way.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Good to go Sunday
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Clifford (hamstring) is available for Sunday's game against the Nets.
Clifford will return from a one-game absence due to left hamstring soreness. In his 10 appearances leading up to the absence, Clifford averaged 13.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.5 steals across 34.9 minutes.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Ruled out with hamstring soreness
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Clifford is out for Thursday's game against the 76ers due to left hamstring soreness.
Clifford is sitting out for the first time since October. The rookie swingman can be viewed as day-to-day prior to Sunday's tilt versus the Nets. Malik Monk is a candidate to join the starting lineup Thursday, and Doug McDermott should stick around in the rotation as well.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Questionable for Thursday
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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.
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Kings' Nique Clifford: Posts decent line in blowout loss
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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.
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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