Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Officially cleared for Game 3
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Merrill (hamstring) is available for Saturday's Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals versus Detroit, Chris Fedor of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Merrill didn't play in Game 2 because of a left hamstring strain. However, after trending favorably Saturday, the 29-year-old is now officially cleared to return from his one-game absence. Merrill has averaged 6.6 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.4 steals across 18.5 minutes in eight postseason games. Although he hasn't been a reliable producer, his presence could mean Max Strus, Dean Wade and Dennis Schroder will see less work.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: On track to suit up Saturday
Rotowire
Merrill (hamstring) is trending favorably regarding his availability for Saturday's Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Detroit, Chris Fedor of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Merrill didn't suit up for Game 2 because of a left hamstring strain. Although he is currently listed as questionable, it appears he will return from his one-game absence Saturday. Merrill has appeared in eight games this postseason, averaging 6.6 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.4 steals across 18.5 minutes. While he hasn't been the most productive, his presence could at least mean Max Strus, Dean Wade and Dennis Schroder will see fewer minutes.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Listed as questionable for Saturday
Rotowire
Merrill (hamstring) is questionable for Saturday's Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Pistons.
Merrill remains day-to-day after picking up a hamstring strain in Game 1. He was unable to appear in Game 2, and the Cavaliers could turn to Dennis Schroder and Max Strus if he misses additional time.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Ruled out for Game 2
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Merrill (hamstring) won't play in Thursday's Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Pistons, Danny Cunningham of Sports Radio 92.3 The Fan Cleveland reports.
Merrill picked up a left hamstring injury during Game 1, and he'll be forced to miss at least one additional matchup while on the mend. Look for Max Strus and Dennis Schroder to be in the mix for an uptick in minutes due to Merrill being sidelined Thursday.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Questionable for Game 2
Rotowire
Merrill is questionable for Wednesday's Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a left hamstring strain.
The Cavaliers are giving the sharpshooter a chance to play Thursday after he suffered the injury in Game 1. Jaylon Tyson and Dennis Schroder could see extra minutes off the bench in Game 2 if Merrill is unable to suit up.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Undergoes MRI on hamstring
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Merrill (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday, per Danny Cunningham of Sports Radio 92.3 The Fan Cleveland.
Merrill left Tuesday's loss to the Pistons in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a left hamstring injury, and the Cavaliers are awaiting his MRI results to determine the severity. If the sharpshooter is unable to play in Game 2, Jaylon Tyson and Dennis Schroder could see more playing time off the bench.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Doesn't return Tuesday
Rotowire
Merrill (hamstring) did not return to Tuesday's 111-101 loss to the Pistons in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, finishing with one assist in seven minutes.
Merrill was able to finish the first quarter but never checked back in due to a left hamstring injury. The Cavaliers are expected to provide an update on his status by Wednesday night ahead of Game 2 on Thursday.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Questionable to return Tuesday
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Merrill is questionable to return to Tuesday's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Pistons due to a left hamstring injury, Danny Cunningham of Sports Radio 92.3 The Fan Cleveland reports.
Merrill played the final 6:41 of the first quarter before exiting to the locker room. If the sharpshooter is unable to return, Max Strus and Jaylon Tyson will likely help pick up the slack.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Exits to locker room
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Merrill (undisclosed) exited to the locker room after the first quarter of Tuesday's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Pistons, Danny Cunningham of Sports Radio 92.3 The Fan Cleveland reports.
Merrill played the final 6:41 of the opening quarter before heading back to the locker room with a member of the medical staff. It's unclear why he left the floor, and he can be considered questionable to return until more information comes to light.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Scores 14 off bench
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Merrill contributed 14 points (5-9 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 1-1 FT) across 19 minutes during Sunday's 93-89 loss to Toronto in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Merrill caught fire from beyond the arc and led the Cleveland bench in scoring by a comfortable margin. Through four postseason games, he's averaging 7.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.5 three-pointers on 42.9 percent shooting from the field.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Cleared from injury report
Rotowire
Merrill (hamstring) is off the injury report for Game 1 on Saturday versus Toronto.
The Cavaliers held Merrill out of their final two outings of the regular season, but they've cleared him for the start of the playoffs. The sharpshooter started a career-high 38 games in 2025-26, ending the regular season with averages of 12.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 3.0 three-pointers while shooting 42.1 percent from deep in 26.5 minutes per contest over 52 games.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Won't play Friday
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Merrill (hamstring) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Atlanta.
Merrill will be held out of Friday's contest due to left hamstring injury management. His final chance to suit up in the regular season will come Sunday against the Wizards. With Donovan Mitchell (ankle) also out, Keon Ellis, Craig Porter and Tyrese Proctor are candidates to see increased playing time.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Won't start Wednesday
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Merrill won't start Wednesday's game against the Hawks, Serena Winters of FanDuel Sports Network Ohio reports.
Merrill has started 15 of his last 16 outings but will retreat to the second unit against Atlanta. Over 13 appearances off the bench this season, the sharpshooter has averaged 9.5 points, 2.4 assists and 1.7 rebounds in 24.7 minutes per contest.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Drops 21 in Monday's win
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Merrill provided 21 points (7-16 FG, 4-11 3Pt, 3-4 FT), two rebounds, two assists and three steals over 28 minutes during Monday's 142-126 win over Memphis.
With James Harden (personal), Donovan Mitchell (ankle), Max Strus (rest) and Dean Wade (ankle) all unavailable, Merrill was back in the starting lineup and delivered his best scoring effort since Feb. 11, when he poured in 32 points against the Wizards. The 29-year-old wing has scored in double digits in eight of his last 10 appearances, averaging 13.8 points, 3.8 boards, 2.8 assists, 2.4 threes and 0.9 steals in 29.4 minutes over that span.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Stepping into starting five
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Merrill will start Monday's game against the Grizzlies.
Merrill was deployed off the bench Thursday against Golden State and then sat out Sunday's clash against the Pacers due to a minor hamstring issue. However, he'll be inserted into the starting lineup Monday with James Harden (personal), Donovan Mitchell (ankle), Dean Wade (ankle) and Max Strus (foot) all sidelined. Merrill is averaging 14.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists in his last five appearances as a starter.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Good to go Monday
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Merrill (hamstring) will play Monday against Memphis.
Merrill will be back in action after sitting out the front end of this back-to-back set Sunday. With James Harden (personal) and Donovan Mitchell (ankle) out, Merrill is in line to see plenty of touches Monday.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Won't suit up Sunday
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Merrill (hamstring) is listed as out for Sunday's game against Indiana.
Merrill has been dealing with a left hamstring injury of late. Although he managed to suit up for Thursday's 118-111 win over the Warriors, he will take the night off versus Indiana before likely returning Monday in Memphis. Without Merrill in the rotation, Keon Ellis should see more work from off the bench.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Pours in 19 points Tuesday
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Merrill finished with 19 points (6-11 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 5-6 FT), four rebounds, one assist and two steals in 33 minutes during Tuesday's 136-131 win over Orlando.
Merrill scored at least 13 points for the fifth straight game, during which time he has been a top-50 player in standard fantasy formats, averaging 15.4 points and 2.6 three-pointers, shooting 51.9 percent from the field and 83.3 percent from the line. However, his overall appeal remains relatively limited, making him more of a streaming option than a must-roster player.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Plays well in win
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Merrill closed Thursday's 115-110 victory over the Bulls with 13 points (5-12 FG, 3-8 3Pt), one rebound, three assists, two blocks and one steal across 31 minutes.
The sharpshooter put together a solid showing in the absence of Donovan Mitchell (eye). Merrill has been a little underwhelming of late, posting averages of 10.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.8 three-pointers in 27.8 minutes per contest while shooting just 27.3 percent from downtown over his last five outings.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Efficient shooting performance
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Merrill notched 17 points (6-12 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds and two assists in 28 minutes during Tuesday's 123-116 win over the Bucks.
Merrill is expected to have a secondary role on offense in most games, but he was remarkably efficient in this win and was one of four Cleveland players who scored at least 17 points. Merrill was making his return from a two-game absence due to a hamstring injury, but since Jarrett Allen (knee) remains sidelined, Merrill has kept his place in the starting unit. The six-year veteran has started in each of his last eight appearances while averaging 11.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 33.9 percent from deep.
