Latest news with #NiqueClifford
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Kings' Nique Clifford, others named to 2025 NBA All-Summer League first team
The NBA 2K26 All-Summer League First Team:🏀 Nique Clifford, @SacramentoKings🏀 Kyle Filipowski, @utahjazz🏀 David Jones-Garcia, @spurs🏀 Jordan Miller, @LAClippers🏀 Terrence Shannon Jr., @Timberwolves Sacramento Kings rookie Nique Clifford was among the players selected to the 2025 NBA All-Summer League first team for games played in Las Vegas, Nevada. Clifford averaged 15.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals on 45.8% shooting from 3-point range in six appearances with the Kings. He scored in double figures five times, including a 19-point, nine-assist and seven-rebound performance on July 16. The 24th pick helped the Kings advance to the championship game on Monday before falling to the Charlotte Hornets. He emerged as the top performer among all first-year players, according to one metric used by HoopsHype. Joining Clifford on the first team were 2025 NBA Summer League MVP and Utah Jazz forward Kyle Filipowski, San Antonio Spurs guard David Jones Garcia, LA Clippers guard Jordan Miller and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. Kings forward Isaac Jones, the top performer by HoopsHype, headlined the second team announced on Tuesday, along with Detroit Pistons guard Ron Holland II, Hornets players Kon Knueppel and KJ Simpson, and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell. Knueppel was named MVP of the championship game, guiding the Hornets to an 83-78 win to claim their first title in Sin City. He finished with 21 points, five rebounds and two assists in 32 minutes.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA Summer League Championship set: Sacramento Kings vs. Charlotte Hornets
LAS VEGAS — A new champion will be crowned Sunday as the Sacramento Kings and Charlotte Hornets prepare to square off in the NBA Summer League final after a week filled with breakout performances and tight games. Both teams entered the playoffs undefeated at 4-0, advancing through tiebreakers rooted in point differential to secure their place among the final four. Sacramento's well-balanced offense, highlighted by the standout play of rookie Nique Clifford (averaging 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists per game), powered them past the competition in Las Vegas. The Kings led all Summer League squads in three-point shooting, connecting on 38.8% of their attempts and averaging 95.3 points per game. The Hornets, led by rookie Kon Knueppel (13.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists) and late first-round selection Liam McNeeley (18 points, 8.5 rebounds per game), held their own throughout with a +12.8 point differential in the preliminary stage. Second-year guard KJ Simpson was the Hornets' leading scorer (19.3 points per game) and distributor (5.5 assists). Charlotte secured the No. 3 seed after defeating the Spurs, pushing them ahead thanks to their impressive point margin. 'It was really cool. The whole team, the whole bench was talking. I really love the culture of Charlotte.' Liam McNeeley told the Charlotte CW on Friday night. The Thomas and Mack Center Championship game is set for Sunday night at 7:00 p.m. PT.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Kings' Nique Clifford recognized as a top summer league performer
Nique Clifford has had a productive run in the NBA Summer League with the Sacramento Kings, and the 24th pick is among the leaders in one metric used by HoopsHype. Clifford is averaging 16.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.4 steals on 50% shooting from 3-point range in five appearances with the Kings. He has scored in double figures four times, including a 19-point, nine-assist and seven-rebound performance on Wednesday. He has played a key role in helping the Kings advance to the championship game on Sunday (10 p.m. EDT, ESPN). The Kings have had strong contributions from Isaac Jones and Devin Carter, who also rank in the top 15 in global rating, a metric used to determine players' productivity. Clifford has emerged as one of the top overall performers among not only rookies but all players as well. He is finding success scoring from all three levels, while also rebounding at a high level and setting up teammates for easy looks. The 23-year-old projects to be a player who can step in next season and contribute in the rotation for coach Doug Christie. He established himself as a versatile player in five seasons at the college level, and he has showcased that ability and more in Las Vegas, Nevada. Clifford and the Kings (5-0) advanced to the title game as one of the top teams in the desert. The group will look to win one more game and keep that momentum heading into next season.
New York Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
How to watch the 2025 NBA Summer League playoffs, a conclusion to the Vegas action
'It feels like summer,' says one of our culture's reigning multi-hyphenates. It might sound like he's celebrating sunset flings and thick July heat, but the trained ear hears that it's really an NBA Summer League ballad about the greatness of Nique Clifford and Kon Knueppel. Do we have proof to back that up? Nope. Do we have the semifinal and final schedule for this weekend's Las Vegas action? Yes, yes we do. ESPN broadcasts can also be streamed on ESPN+. All four semifinalists went 4-0 in their Vegas slates. There were actually six undefeated teams in play, but two of them (Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks) missed the cut based on tiebreakers. Saturday's first semifinal pits the Sacramento Kings against the Toronto Raptors. The Raps have a league-best plus-15.8 differential in their four wins. Lottery pick Collin Murray-Boyles has averaged 12.7 points on impressive 60.7 percent shooting, though the 3-ball isn't quite falling yet. The South Carolina wing is getting love for his defensive versatility and instincts in pick-and-roll. The Kings counter with a balanced attack; seven players scored in double figures during Wednesday's win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Clifford, the No. 24 pick in last month's draft, led the group in points (19), rebounds (7) and assists (9). The second game pairs the incumbent NBA champions with arguably the league's most hapless franchise. Knueppel, the Duke standout, is now tasked with reviving the in-state Charlotte Hornets. The fourth overall selection has put together a three-game line of 13.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals. He looked controlled and confident in Monday's outing, a win over the Cooper Flagg-less Dallas Mavericks: The Oklahoma City Thunder are wholly unconcerned with the Vegas proceedings after seizing the Larry O'Brien Trophy and minting a budding dynasty. Still, no one in the building will complain about inspired scrapping from their B-team prospects. Brooks Barnhizer got the Thunder to 4-0 with a 19-point, nine-board showing against the New Orleans Pelicans last time out. Better still, Nikola Topić, the 2024 No. 12 pick, has been throwing absolute dimes running summer league sets. He is averaging 7.3 assists in under 28 minutes per game, making his way back from the ACL tear that washed out his rookie season. Saturday's two winners face off in Sunday's title game. It's certainly not too serious, but soak it in, as it's our last NBA run for a few months. Most win shares for Raptors and Kings: DeMar DeRozan (54 TOR, 7.1 SAC) Most win shares for Hornets and Thunder: Jeremy Lamb (15.7 CHA, 5.1 OKC) Ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. (Photo of Kon Knueppel: Ethan Miller / Getty Images)
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nique Clifford with the 2 Pt
Sacramento Kings GM speaks out ahead of return to Summer League action The Sacramento Kings tipped off their Las Vegas residency with an 84-81 win over the Orlando Magic in the NBA Summer League opener, featuring impressive debuts from draft picks Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud. Their reward for that victory was a rare off day ahead of game two, which provided the opportunity to catch up with General Manager Scott Perry, who has been on the job for just a few months. Perry sat down for a wide-ranging, exclusive interview to discuss a variety of topics, focusing on his draft picks and highlighting the versatility he sees in Clifford and the potential for him to contribute to next season's roster at several positions. 1:47 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
