The Kings will be without their standout rookie for the next four games.
Sacramento guard Nique Clifford suffered a right hamstring strain in the season-opening 120-116 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday at Mortgage Matchup Center and will be reevaluated in one week, the team announced on Thursday.
That means Clifford will miss Friday’s game against the Utah Jazz, Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Tuesday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Bulls.
Clifford, who started in his NBA debut on Wednesday, scored 2 points with 8 rebounds and 2 assists on 1-of-3 shooting from the field in 23 minutes.
Sacramento selected Clifford with the No. 24 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and the 23-year-old figures to play a key role in coach Doug Christie’s rotations this season.
However, he will have to wait at least one week to get back on the court.
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