Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Drills six three-pointers in win
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Merrill finished Sunday's 130-111 victory over the Trail Blazers with 22 points (7-9 FG, 6-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds and four assists across 29 minutes.
Merrill took care of business beyond the arc during the win, with the bulk of his shot attempts coming from the perimeter. Sunday marked Merrill's first decent performance since returning from a six-game absence, and the opportunity for decent production is apparent while Darius Garland (toe) is out. The recent acquisitions of Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis may have some impact on Merrill's involvement later in the season, but his role is steady for now.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Muted impact in return
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Merrill (hand) closed Wednesday's 129-99 victory over the Lakers with four points (1-4 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four assists, one rebound and one block across 24 minutes.
Merrill returned from a six-game absence due to a right hand sprain and immediately stepped into the starting five while Cleveland was without Darius Garland (toe) and Evan Mobley (calf). The sixth-year wing had a limited impact in his return, however, putting up a season-low four shot attempts while failing to score in double figures for the sixth time in 25 appearances on the season. On a more positive note, the sharpshooter's four assists were his most since Dec. 23, when he dished out seven in a win over New Orleans.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Available and starting
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Merrill (hand) is available and in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Lakers.
Merrill will return from a six-game absence with a sprained right hand Wednesday, and he will fill the void in the first unit left behind by the injured Evan Mobley (calf). Across his last seven starts, Merrill has averaged 16.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 steals in 27.5 minutes per game.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Likely to play Wednesday
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Merrill is probable for Wednesday's game against the Lakers with a sprained right hand.
Merrill had missed five consecutive contests due to the sprain before being ruled out for personal reasons ahead of Monday's win over Orlando. With Evan Mobley (calf) out of action, Merrill is an option to jump into the first unit. The sharpshooter has averaged 15.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 4.2 three-pointers in 25.4 minutes per tilt in his last six games.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Out for personal reasons
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Merrill is out for Monday's game against the Magic for personal reasons.
The sharpshooter had missed five consecutive contests due to a right hand sprain, though it remains unclear if he's overcome the injury. With De'Andre Hunter (knee) questionable, Craig Porter and Dean Wade are candidates to soak up extra minutes Monday.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Not available Saturday
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Merrill (hand) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Magic.
Merrill will miss a fifth consecutive game due to a right hand sprain, the same injury that caused him to miss nearly a month earlier in the season. His next chance to play is in Monday's rematch against Orlando.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Won't return vs. Kings
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Merrill (hand) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Sacramento.
Merrill is in line for his fourth straight absence due to a right hand sprain. His next opportunity to return will arrive Saturday in Orlando.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Out for Wednesday
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Merrill (hand) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game in Charlotte.
Merrill will miss his third consecutive game after recently aggravating a right hand sprain, and his minutes will continue to be divvied up amongst Jaylon Tyson, Lonzo Ball and Tyrese Proctor. His next chance to play will come Friday against the Kings.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Set to miss time with hand injury
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Head coach Kenny Atkinson said after Wednesday's 133-107 win over the 76ers that Merrill (hand) is "probably doubtful" for the Cavaliers' next game Friday in Philadelphia, Spencer Davies of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Merrill previously missed 14 straight games earlier this season due to a right hand sprain, and much like how he originally got hurt back on Nov. 17, he appeared to aggravate the injury Wednesday when he reached after the basketball on a defensive play late in the second quarter. Though Merrill was able to finish out the quarter, he was listed as questionable to return to the game following halftime and ultimately went unused in the second half, ending with three points (1-5 FG, 1-3 3Pt) and three rebounds in his 10 minutes of court time. Merrill will likely be sent in for further testing as the Cavaliers look to determine whether he sprained the hand again or is merely dealing with soreness.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Provides spark off bench
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Merrill chipped in 22 points (7-13 FG, 5-11 3Pt, 3-3 FT), two rebounds, three assists and one steal across 31 minutes during Thursday's 131-122 loss to the Timberwolves.
Merrill reverted to a bench role Thursday after starting in each of the Cavaliers' prior two games, but he still gave his team a nice scoring punch and finished with the second-most points on Cleveland behind Donovan Mitchell (30). It was the fourth game in which Merrill scored 20-plus points in a game, and he tied a season high he has reached twice before. He has scored in double digits in seven of his last eight outings, and over that span he has averaged 15.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 4.0 threes and 0.9 steals over 27.3 minutes per game.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Drains six triples vs. Indiana
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Merrill provided 19 points (6-12 FG, 6-10 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds and two assists over 31 minutes during Tuesday's 120-116 victory over the Pacers.
Merrill tied a season high with six triples during Tuesday's win, and his plus-five point differential was the highest among the starters. He has started in each of Cleveland's last two games, but he would likely revert to a bench role against the Timberwolves on Thursday if Donovan Mitchell (rest) is cleared to return. Merrill should retain a strong role in the Cavaliers' rotation regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Entering starting five
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Merrill is in the Cavaliers' starting lineup against the Pistons on Sunday.
Merrill was able to shrug off a left ankle injury to play Sunday, and he'll make his 12th start of the season due to the absence of Jarrett Allen (illness). As a starter this season, Merrill is averaging 15.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 3.7 threes and 0.8 steals over 26.0 minutes per game.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Available to play
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Merrill (ankle) is available for Sunday's game against the Pistons, Spencer Davies of SI.com reports.
Merrill will return from a one-game absence, and he could see a slight uptick in minutes with Jarrett Allen (illness) unavailable. On the season, Merrill is averaging 13.2 points, 2.5 assists and 3.3 triples per contest.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Iffy for Sunday
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Merrill (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Pistons.
Merrill is considered day-to-day after missing Friday's game against the Nuggets. If Merrill is unable to give it a go, there will be more minutes available for guys like Jaylon Tyson and Craig Porter.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Won't go Friday
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Merrill (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Nuggets, Ethan Sands of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Merrill won't suit up Friday due to a sprained left ankle, and his next opportunity to play will come Sunday against the Pistons. With the sharpshooter sidelined, Jaylon Tyson and Craig Porter are candidates for increased playing time.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Probable for Wednesday
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Merrill is probable for Wednesday's game against the Suns due to left hip soreness.
Merrill is expected to play through the issue Wednesday, and the Cavaliers are likely to confirm his status closer to tipoff. The sharpshooter has averaged 11.0 points, 3.4 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 2.4 three-pointers in 26.4 minutes per game over his last five outings.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Available to return
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Merrill (mouth) has been cleared to return to Monday's game against San Antonio, Chris Fedor of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Merrill was officially diagnosed with a lip laceration, but the issue won't keep him from Monday's action. He should be fully available the rest of the way.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Heads to locker room
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Merrill exited to the locker room during the first quarter of Monday's game against the Spurs with an apparent mouth injury, Chris Fedor of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Merrill appeared to be bleeding from his mouth after being hit in the face. He'll be taken to the locker room for further evaluation.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Starting Tuesday
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Merrill will start against the Pelicans on Tuesday, Serena Winters of FanDuel Sports Network Ohio reports.
Merrill will return to the starting lineup in just his second appearance following a 14-game absence due to a sprained hand. As a result, Jaylon Tyson will come off the bench. Merrill logged 26 minutes in Monday's win over the Hornets, during which he posted four points (2-7 FG, 0-4 3Pt), one rebound, five assists and one steal over 26 minutes.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Available against Hornets
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Merrill (hand) is available for Monday's game against the Hornets, Spencer Davies of SI.com reports.
Merrill will make his first appearance since Nov. 17 after sitting out for over a month with a hand sprain. It's fair to expect some kind of minutes restriction for the sharpshooter in his return, considering the lengthy absence. Merrill has averaged 13.9 points, 2.3 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 3.7 three-pointers per contest in 12 regular-season games thus far, during which he has shot 44.4 percent from downtown.
