Kings' Nique Clifford Exits With Injury vs. Nets

Sacramento rookie suffers ankle injury, won't return to game

Mar. 23, 2026 at 12:36am

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Sacramento Kings rookie Nique Clifford exited the game against the Brooklyn Nets after rolling his left ankle at the start of the fourth quarter and will not return. Clifford, who was making his return after missing the last game with a hamstring injury, was having another solid all-around game before the latest setback.

Why it matters

The Kings have dealt with a rash of injuries all season, and Clifford's development has been crucial given the team's depleted roster. With just ten games left, this latest injury raises concerns about how much more playing time the rookie will see before the end of the season.

The details

Clifford suffered a left ankle injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the game. He had seven points, four rebounds, four assists and a steal in 26:34 minutes before exiting. The Kings were already without seven players before the game, and Killian Hayes also left the game early with a left toe injury.

  • Clifford exited the game at the start of the fourth quarter on March 23, 2026.

The players

Nique Clifford

A rookie wing for the Sacramento Kings who is averaging 7.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game this season.

Killian Hayes

A Kings player who also left the game against the Nets early with a left toe injury.

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What’s next

The Kings will provide an update on the severity of Clifford's ankle injury in the coming days, which will determine how much more playing time he'll see before the end of the season.

The takeaway

Clifford's latest injury is a setback in his development, coming at a crucial time for the Kings with just ten games left in the season. The team's depleted roster due to injuries has made Clifford's contributions even more important, making this latest setback particularly unfortunate.