The Sacramento Kings selected Nique Clifford at No. 24 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. Clifford then dominated Summer League, showcasing the ability to excel in virtually every phase of the game. Unfortunately, the 24-year-old rookie has found it challenging to lock down a consistent role in the Association.
Though no one wants to see an injury or a player traded away, if there's one silver lining to be found in recent Kings events, it's that Clifford is finally being unleashed.
Clifford played just 15.9 minutes per game through November. That number jumped to 22.9 in December, but he was down to 18.0 through his first 13 games in January. With Zach LaVine's injury and a trade that sent Keon Ellis and Dennis Schröder to Cleveland creating space in the rotation, however, he's finally receiving consistent minutes—even when his shot isn't falling.
Clifford has averaged 31.9 minutes per game over his past 13 appearances and has turned a refreshing display of patience from the coaching staff into compelling results on the court.
Over the past 13 games, Clifford has averaged 11.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.4 three-point field goals made. He's shot just 39.0 percent from the field, but has buried a strong 37.5 percent of his three-point field goals.
The key to Clifford's success has been head coach Doug Christie allowing the first-year wing to finally play with the knowledge that an off night won't cause his minutes to be slashed.
Kings finally giving Nique Clifford chance to play through mistakes
Clifford's recent success includes a clash with the Cleveland Cavaliers in which he posted 30 points, four rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and two steals on 12-of-19 shooting. It was a career night for the rookie, as well as an arguable result of a steady buildup of momentum.
Clifford had scored at least 14 points in three of his previous four games and was thus given the confidence to play with an assertive mentality when he truly caught fire.
The most significant games he played, however, may have been the following two—objectively bad performances as a scorer, as they were. He shot 4-of-16 against the New Orleans Pelicans and a putrid 1-of-15 against the Utah Jazz.
Despite his woeful shooting, Clifford played 37 and 38 minutes—due in no small part to the six assists and five rebounds he tallied against the Pelicans, and the eight rebounds, six assists, and two steals he came up with against the Jazz.
Nique Clifford showcasing potential as scorer and playmaker for Kings
Clifford had another tough night at the office the next time out, but he still played 30 minutes. A game later, he righted the ship with the backing of his coaching staff, posting eight points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 30 minutes while shooting 4-of-9 from the field.
Two days later, Clifford helped snap the Kings' 16-game losing streak with a sensational showing: 12 points, six rebounds, five assists, and six steals on 5-of-8 shooting.
It's all a product of Clifford receiving what never should've been a luxury: The opportunity to play like a rookie. He's inevitably going to make mistakes as a first-year player, but helping him figure out what parts of his game work and falter under the NBA lens is an essential process.
It's unfortunate that injuries and trades had to transpire to open up minutes, but Clifford is proving up to the task of securing his future with the Kings.