Sacramento Kings rookie Nique Clifford injured; Sabonis nearing return
The Kings got some good news and some bad news Thursday as they prepared to face the Utah Jazz in their home opener Friday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
Rookie first-round draft pick Nique Clifford suffered a right hamstring strain in a 120-116 loss to the Phoenix Suns in Wednesday’s season opener at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix. He will be reevaluated in one week, meaning he will likely miss at least four games.
There was a more encouraging update on two-time All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis, who missed Wednesday’s game after straining his right hamstring during the preseason. Sabonis was seen on the court shooting at the end of Thursday’s practice and appears to be nearing a return. He has been upgraded to questionable for Friday’s game.
Clifford started in his NBA debut Wednesday with Keegan Murray (thumb) and Sabonis out of the lineup due to injuries. Clifford had two points on 1-of-3 shooting with a team-high eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and one blocked shot in 24 minutes. He left the game with 5:12 remaining in the fourth quarter and did not return.
The absence of Clifford will likely mean more minutes for Russell Westbrook and Keon Ellis. Westbrook had six points and six rebounds in 19 minutes against the Suns. Ellis had nine points on 4-of-5 shooting in 13 minutes.
Sabonis was initialy scheduled to be reevaluated this weekend. If he doesn’t play against Utah on Friday, he could return to the lineup for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sabonis averaged 19.1 points, a league-high 13.9 rebounds and 6.0 assists last season. His rebounding was sorely missed in Wednesday’s season opener as the Suns outrebounded the Kings 51-37.
This story was originally published October 23, 2025 at 2:31 PM.
