Merrill (ankle) will not play Wednesday against the Pelicans.
Merrill just returned from a three-game absence Tuesday against Boston, logging six points (2-3 FG, 2-3 3Pt), one assist, one rebound and one block across 19 minutes of his first start of the campaign. He's being held out Wednesday for maintenance purposes, so he's likely to be available Sunday against the Raptors.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Paltry numbers in starting role
Rotowire
Merrill (ankle) recorded six points (2-3 FG, 2-3 3Pt), one assist, one rebound and one block across 19 minutes Tuesday in the Cavaliers' 120-117 loss to the Celtics.
The Cavaliers were without three rotation regulars Tuesday in Caris LeVert (knee), Dean Wade (ankle) and Isaac Okoro (ankle), paving the way for Merrill to make his first start of the season. Merrill -- who had missed the Cavaliers' previous three games with left ankle inflammation -- didn't notice a major spike in playing time as a result of his appointment to the top unit, and he sported the lowest usage rate (7.0 percent) of the team's starters. The Cavaliers could move Merrill back to the bench for Wednesday's matchup with the Pelicans if any of the three aforementioned injured players are able to return.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Gets start sans Okoro
Rotowire
Merrill will enter the starting lineup in Tuesday's matchup versus Boston, Chris Fedor of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Merrill missed the club's last three games due to left ankle inflammation, though he'll start for the first time this season with Isaac Okoro (ankle) and Dean Wade (ankle) sidelined. Merrill has averaged 6.4 points and 2.4 rebounds across 19.8 minutes per game off the bench over his last five appearances.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Good to go against Boston
Rotowire
Merrill (ankle) is available for Tuesday's game versus the Celtics, Spencer Davies of SI.com reports.
Merrill has been upgraded from questionable to available Tuesday despite missing Cleveland's last three contests due to left ankle inflammation. Across his last five appearances, Merrill is averaging 6.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 19.8 minutes.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Questionable for Tuesday
Rotowire
Merrill (ankle) is listed as questionable for Tuesday's game against Boston.
Merrill has missed the Cavaliers' last three games due to left ankle inflammation, but he has a chance to return Tuesday. Craig Porter has been the biggest beneficiary of Merrill's absence over the last three games.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Still out Sunday
Rotowire
Merrill (ankle) won't play in Sunday's game versus the Hornets.
Merrill's absence streak will extend to three games Sunday due to a left ankle injury. His next chance to suit up is Tuesday's matchup in Boston.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Won't play against Chicago
Rotowire
Merrill (ankle) is listed as out for Friday's game versus the Bulls.
Merrill will miss his second straight contest Friday due to left ankle soreness. His next chance to suit up is Sunday's matchup with Charlotte.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: First absence coming Wednesday
Rotowire
Merrill (ankle) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against Philadelphia, Ky Carlin of USA Today reports.
Merrill will miss his first game of the season due to a sore left ankle. He had played between 16 and 27 minutes off the bench in each of the Cavaliers' first 12 games, averaging 6.8 points, 1.8 three-pointers, 1.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Iffy for Wednesday
Rotowire
Merrill is questionable for Wednesday's game against the 76ers due to left ankle soreness.
Merrill continues to battle a lingering ankle injury but has yet to miss a game this season. However, he was held scoreless for the first time during Monday's win over Chicago, suggesting it may be time for him to take a break.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Good to go Friday
Rotowire
Merrill (ankle) is available for Friday's game versus the Warriors, Spencer Davies of SI.com reports.
Merrill has been upgraded from questionable to available Friday despite dealing with left ankle soreness. Across his last five appearances, Merrill is averaging 9.4 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 21.8 minutes.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Iffy against Golden State
Rotowire
Merrill is listed as questionable for Friday's game versus the Warriors due to left ankle soreness.
Merrill is in danger of missing his first game of the season Friday after being a late addition to the injury report with left ankle soreness. If Merrill is ultimately ruled out against Golden State, Ty Jerome, Jaylon Tyson and Craig Porter are candidates to receive increased playing time.
Merrill posted 12 points (5-10 FG, 2-6 3Pt), five rebounds, two assists and two steals across 27 minutes during Monday's 116-114 win over the Bucks.
Merrill led the bench in points while scoring in double figures for the second straight matchup. The sharpshooter struggled from beyond the arc Monday, though he has still shot 39.0 percent from deep this season. Merrill remains a dangerous option from three-point range for the Cavaliers, though his fantasy value is capped due to the talent around him and his role as a catch-and-shoot specialist.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Drills five threes off bench
Rotowire
Merrill posted 17 points (6-10 FG, 5-9 3Pt), one rebound, one assist and one block across 22 minutes during Saturday's 114-113 win over the Bucks.
Merrill is an accurate three-point specialist and made his presence known off the bench. His fantasy production is almost entirely dependent on his success beyond the arc, which limits his viability. He's a borderline candidate in category leagues if you need help in that category.
Merrill notched 11 points (3-8 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, one assist and one steal across 20 minutes during Saturday's 135-116 win over the Wizards.
Merrill started the season 1-for-7 from deep through two games but made a trio of three-pointers Saturday. The sharpshooter has a consistent backup role in Cleveland, but his fantasy upside is directly correlated to how well he's shooting from deep.
Merrill (wrist) isn't listed on the injury report for Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Raptors.
As expected, Merrill is cleared to suit up after missing the Cavaliers' preseason finale. The sharpshooter made 61 regular-season appearances for the Cavaliers last season, averaging 2.3 made three-pointers across 17.5 minutes per game.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Should be ready for opener
Rotowire
Merrill (wrist) won't play in Friday's preseason game against the Bulls but is expected to be available for the regular-season opener against the Raptors next Wednesday, Chris Fedor of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Merrill is in a similar situation to Max Strus (hip), as both players have missed the last two preseason games. However, based on recent reports, both are expected to be available for the regular-season opener on Oct. 23. Merrill has participated in on-court, non-contact, full-speed workouts, so he's trending closer to being fully available. Even when that happens, Merrill shouldn't have a lot of fantasy upside since he'll be nothing more than a depth option on the Cavaliers' bench.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Won't play Wednesday
Rotowire
Merrill (wrist) will not play in Wednesday's preseason game against the Pistons, Evan Dammarell of FearTheSword.com reports.
Merrill has been sidelined since Thursday's preseason game versus the Pacers. He wasn't able to practice over the weekend, but he was spotted getting some work in at Tuesday's practice with some tape on his wrist. He's considered day-to-day with his next chance to play being Friday's preseason finale against the Bulls.
