Clifford’s creation, Kings identity give them chance at a Summer League title

Since becoming general manager of the Sacramento Kings, Scott Perry has repeatedly mentioned the importance of creating an identity.

Their 2K26 Summer League squad has been no different, with head coach Dipesh Mistry emphasizing a defensive brand of basketball. It’s worked wonders.

Despite their toughest challenge yet, Sacramento became the first 4-0 team in Las Vegas Wednesday afternoon.

Cavaliers guard Tyrese Proctor had 35 points, but the Kings held Cleveland to 35.5 percent as a team.

“That’s a good team right there,” Mistry said postgame. “They challenged us and we responded to the adversity and it was great. I thought it was amazing. I like how they got challenged, but when things went rough, they got together and I really, really enjoyed watching that.”

Second-year big man Isaac Jones got off to a hot start early, attacking the basket with force. “I realized they didn’t want to run with me,” Jones said. “So, I tried to get on the rim as much as possible, and it just worked out.”

He finished the game with 17 points and three rebounds on 8/11 shooting. Playing alongside 7’1 big Maxime Raynaud, the rookie’s shooting helped open up the floor for Jones.

Familiar with one another from their collegiate days, and both having played under Coach Kyle Smith, Jones is a fan of Raynaud’s game.

“He’s definitely special,” Jones said of Raynaud. “I think we got a steal picking him.” But it was Sacramento’s first-rounder that stole the show.

It felt like every time the momentum started heading in Cleveland’s direction, Nique Clifford took matters into his own hands. Showing off his touch in the midrange while creating off the bounce for himself and others, it was a stellar performance.

“I’ve seen it all before,” two-way guard Isaiah Stevens, who played with Clifford at Colorado State, said postgame.

Clifford ended the night with 19 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds on 8/15 from the field.

Nique Clifford is on a roll right now.

Scoring in big moments as clutch time is around the corner.

Closest game of SAC’s 2k26 SL so far. Undefeated record (and a chance at the chip) on the line. pic.twitter.com/VM50E6Huu9

— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) July 16, 2025

Stevens thinks the key to Clifford’s ability to create lies in his speed of play.

“I think it’s his pace, more so than anything,” he said. “His start, his stop. His slow to fast, fast to slow.”

“I think he knows, obviously, what he’s going to do better than anyone else, and once you really start to dial into that, you become a really hard player to stop.”

The recently signed two-way guard ended Wednesday with 13 points and five assists, closing the game in place of Isaiah Crawford.

Having been on last season’s Summer League championship team with Miami, Stevens said this Sacramento squad has a similar feel.

“This reminds me of the team I was on last year. A little bit different, but I think we just all gravitated towards each other very fast, we all started pulling one direction. We all want to win. Obviously, you want to showcase your skills, but I think winning gives you the best opportunity and platform to do that. By us buying into the culture and buying into what the coaches are preaching, I think a lot of us are reaping the benefits.”

• Isaiah Stevens

Now they’re sitting, waiting, counting point differentials of any other teams to remain undefeated.

Their flawless +11.5 differential puts them in contention for a spot in the championship game. Coach Mistry didn’t even mention the possibility of it to the team pregame.

“I didn’t want them thinking about that,” he said. “Just get the win and then wherever the chips land, the chips land.”

Embracing a defensive identity, they did their part. We’ll see where the chips land in the coming days.

More Sacramento Kings coverage on Sactown Sports

The Sacramento Kings are turning heads in Las Vegas Summer League thanks to the strong play of rookies Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud, as well as second-year guard Devin Carter.

Kings TV play-by-play voice Mark Jones joined The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross to share his observations of the newest members of the Beam Team, contemplate if more moves are on the way in free agency, and much more.

Be sure to check out the entire interview with Mark Jones on the Sactown Sports 1140 YouTube page.

Read More:

Mark Jones on the Kings’ youth movement in Vegas & outlook of the roster

What’s next for the Sacramento Kings offseason?

The NBA free agency window is wide open, meaning teams around the league will make signings and trades in the coming weeks and months ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Aside from free agency, the NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League is set to begin on Thursday, July 10th, giving Sacramento Kings fans a first look at rookie talents like Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud, as well as second-year guard Devin Carter.

Be sure to stay locked into Sactown Sports 1140 each weekday from 6 am-6 pm for live analysis and around-the-clock coverage, as well as sactownsports.com for breakdowns for every move

Upcoming offseason schedule for the Sacramento Kings:

• July 10th-20th – Las Vegas NBA Summer League
• August TBD – Release of 2025-26 regular season schedule
• September TBD – Start of NBA training camps for the 2025-26 season

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