Being a rookie in his fourth NBA game and getting tapped to play as a starter is a big deal. But Nique Clifford earned that shot through exceptional preseason play and being ready for the big show. A series of injuries to the Kings' starters didn't hurt his situation, either.
Going into their final preseason game, the Kings were short Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray, DeMar DeRozan, and Malik Monk due to varied injuries and illnesses. Russell Westbrook also didn't play, though that wasn't as big a deal as he's brand-spanking new to the Kings' roster.
Keegan Murray's injury caused him to miss the previous preseason game with the Clippers and will keep him out for several weeks. The Kings chose to bring in Dario Saric to start in his stead, which did not work at all. Saric is a reasonably servicable bench player, not a starter.
With three out of five starters missing against the Lake Show, the Kings had to dig deep. They took the opportunity to start Drew Eubanks, Isaac Jones, and Nique Clifford. All three players rose to the occasion, particularly the Kings' standout rookie. He just needed the chance to show he could hang.
Nique Clifford takes center stage
The young shooting guard had a stellar preseason, proving to many that he may have been the steal of the 2025 NBA Draft. His gameplay, alongside fellow rookies Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell, was the best part of an otherwise concerning preseason for the Kings.
In his fourth and final preseason game of 2025-2026, Clifford finished with 13 points, five rebounds, seven assists, and one steal. This put his preseason totals to 57 points, 14 rebounds, 18 assists, five steals, and one block. He actually scored double digits in all four games, which is no small feat.
More than that, Nique proved himself to be a playmaker against the Lakers, finding his teammates with some incredible passes. Those don't get recorded in the score sheet if the finish isn't there, but anyone who watched the game saw some impressive work from the rookie star.
Starting Clifford was the right choice, given how many injuries the Kings were facing. They got a good look at Nique in a more high-pressure role, and he absolutely delivered. Hopefully, the Kings' coaches and front office take note of this and give him an increased part to play during his first season.