After an entertaining 94-86 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Isaiah Stevens, Nique Clifford and the Sacramento Kings find themselves in poll position to advance to the NBA2k26 Summer League Playoffs with a 4-0 record and a +11.5 point differential (barring any tiebreakers knocking them out of the top 4).
Jumping into game three, although fairly uncompetitive (large part because of Nique), there are a few moments I’d like to break down.
From the jump Nique Clifford played like he had something to prove on Monday night. Scoring 15 of his 19 points in the first half, providing an offensive suckerpuch that the Suns just could not recover from. As well as stuffing the stat sheet as we all know he is capable of doing in his sleep.
You just knew Nique was locked in after he hit his second three-pointer of the night, a pump-fake sidestep corner three that we, as Ram fans, know all too well. Then you just knew that stare-down three late in the first half was true before it left his fingers.
Nique’s playmaking has been the most impressive thing from him in my opinion so far. We knew NBA teams would want him in that Haliburton role and at least in summer league he seems to be getting comfortable in that facilitator role. There will be some growing pains with that but it’s nice to see the flashes of brilliance he shows as a playmaker.
Speaking of brilliant playmaking, Isaiah Stevens had a quiet night offensively but continues to show why he’s such a valuable player even when he’s not scoring. Zay finished with 5 points, 7(!!) rebounds and 4 assists and a plus minus that had him at the highest mark from those coming off the bench, +15.
As well as something you can’t see on the stat sheet, leadership. I know that may sound corny but Isaiah’s ability to direct this squad while he’s on the court is impressive. You can definitely see the impact when he’s out there.
We knew Isaiah had the capability and the effort level to rebound on the college level, even with being a smaller guard, but it is very encouraging to see him rebounding like this when the physicality is turned up a tick. I know it’s summer league, but 3 offensive rebounds at 6’0″ is nothing to scoff at. As well as out rebounding the Suns first round big man, Khaman Maluach. Winning this matchup with the Suns 94-76.
The Kings looked to carry that dominant momentum into game four. Both Rams start out slow from the scoring department but showcase their playmaking skills early.
Nique starts off the game with a slick lob pass to fellow rookie big man, Maxime Raynaud. In the very next possession he feeds the post for his second dime of the game.
Stevens then gets two quick assists, including a pinpoint transition pass for an and-one halfway through the first. Then finishing off the quarter with three made free throws off of a transition trey that he was fouled on after having the defender off balance.
The Kings struggled on the glass throughout the first half, allowing nine first half offensive boards from Nae’Qwan Tomlin. Instead of boxing out, the Kings just ramped up the offense to get out to a ten point first half lead.
My biggest takeaway from the first half was Nique’s ability to impact the game without scoring, something we saw a lot for the Rams last year. His passes were sharp (6ast at half) and he was playing great 1-on-1 defense, forcing some ugly shot attempts.
Both started heating up late in the first half, Isaiah with a tough floater in the paint and Nique putting a bow on a solid first half with a confident step-back three that couldn’t have been more pure.
Nique’s three being one of few for Sacramento in the first half, the Kings as a team shot less than 10% from three up to that point. Their response was impressive though. Ball movement, timely cuts and passes kept the Cavs from making any massive runs in this second half.
Nique continued his hot shooting with three more buckets in the third quarter, including a sweet finger-roll on the right side after a blow by and his signature spin-to-fade mid range.
Nique’s agent Todd Ramasar from Life Sports Agency was featured on the broadcast and shared some insightful notes. He expressed that the most important skill Nique can bring to a team is his “utility”. Focusing on bringing the best singular skillset you have that a team can utilize and then developing from that base. Big fan of that approach, because once you solidify yourself in a role on a team doing one thing really well it makes it so much easier to develop into a complete player when you’re not worried about if you’ll be playing at all that day.
Once the fourth quarter started going the Cavs really started to flex their muscles on the boards and in the paint and went on a run to work the game back to 71-71. A cross-court pass from Nique to a Zay three halted that run. Then after a quick stop Nique hits Isaiah in the corner for an easy drive and lay in on a broken play. This sparked a 10-3 run where the Rams assisted or made 3 out of the 4 buckets in that run. After that, the Kings never looked back.
Both guys really started heating up from there and Cleveland had no answer. Nique was on fire, stop and pop 3, fadeaway middy, it was all working.
After a brief stint on the bench, I found it notable that the coaching staff opted to put Zay back in the game during crunch time (88-82 3:09 left). He immediately comes off the bench and hits a huge three to ice the game at 91-84 from who else but Nique Clifford?
Nique finished with 19pts, 7rebs and 9ast(!!) in 31 minutes on 8-15 shooting. Isaiah contributed 13pts, 5ast, and a steal on an efficient 4-6 shooting and 2-2 from 3, really showing off his 3pt accuracy (50% 3pt shooting in SL). And, of course, the highest plus-minus on the team at +9. Winning. Player.
So far in summer league, Nique has been one of the best players in Vegas. Averaging 18.5pts, 6.5rbs, 5ast, and 1stl on 58% shooting from the field and 53% from 3. Clinical.
Isaiah has been solid as well. Putting up 7.5pts, 3.5ast, 3 rbs and top 15 in plus-minus in only 18 minutes/game. Clearly making a huge impact on winning and a huge reason why the Kings are 4-0 and looking towards the playoffs. His leadership and poise on the court is impressive and the Kings definitely notice, as he’s being put out there in the critical moments of games and coming through big consistently.
Really excited to keep watching this group going forward, one of the most cohesive summer league teams in Vegas combined with the top level talent needed to win a summer league championship. Once again savoring every moment we get to see Nique Clifford and Isaiah Stevens back on the court together! Lets keep this ride going as long as we can!
As of the morning of 7/17, playoff seeds have yet to be determined but as of right now the Kings are in a good spot to play in a semi-final game on Saturday, July 19th. (I will update this as soon as ‘regular season’ games are finalized.)
Thanks so much for reading and as always, Go Rams! 🐏
Ram State Sports 
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