Nique Clifford’s preseason line has changed fast, but the bigger picture hasn’t. The Sacramento Kings wing opened with a bang in the first preseason game, then settled into a quieter stretch as he works through the finer points of his game. Even so, the early returns still point to a player making real progress.
Clifford arrived in Sacramento through the 2025 draft, where some initially called him the steal of the class. That label didn’t hold for long once teammate and fellow rookie Maxime Raynaud took it over. Clifford still put together a solid rookie year, but the jump to the NBA came with the usual hurdles: the pace, the physicality, and the need to adjust fast.
The offseason checklist was obvious. He had to sharpen his shooting, especially from three-point range.
He had to play quicker. And he had to bring more edge.
So far in preseason, that last part has shown up.
In the opener, Clifford put up 23 points, nine rebounds, and two assists. Game two was far more modest: four points, two rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Game three brought three points, one rebound, three assists, and two steals.
The scoring dip matters less than the approach. Clifford is still taking shots, averaging ten field goal attempts per game, and that kind of willingness is exactly what the Kings want to see. If he keeps firing, the production should follow.
He’s also found other ways to stay involved when the points aren’t coming. His assist totals climbed in games two and three, and he’s made his presence felt defensively with multiple steals. That kind of activity keeps him from disappearing on off nights.
Not every NBA game is going to be clean. The players who stick are the ones who keep pressing anyway, and Clifford has done that so far this preseason.
The shot will need to come around, especially from deep, but the effort and aggression are already there. If that keeps up, this could be Clifford’s season.
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