The NBA 2025-2026 season is in full swing and there have already been some epic performances. What has been interesting is how many teams put rookies on their opening game rosters, including the Kings who started Nique Clifford in place of Keegan Murray.
Thanks to various injuries, the final preseason game saw the Sacramento Kings start an interesting lineup against the Los Angeles Lakers. But it worked, giving the Kings their sole preseason win. Opening the regular season, some of those injuries persisted, leading to a similar starting five.
Given Nique Clifford's overall performance in the preseason, it made sense to continue to use him as a starter.