Merrill (elbow) is listed as out for Wednesday's game against the Knicks.
Merrill has battled a lingering elbow issue since the preseason. He will now miss a third consecutive contest, and he can be considered week-to-week until the Cavaliers update his return timeline. While Merrill is sidelined, Craig Porter, Meleek Thomas and Tyrese Proctor should see more minutes.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Out again Monday
Rotowire
Merrill (elbow) is listed as out for Monday's game against the Hornets.
Merrill exited Friday's meeting with the 76ers because of a nagging elbow issue and didn't play in Saturday's 109-79 loss to the Knicks, marking his first absence of the 2026-27 campaign. With the 30-year-old now out for a second consecutive game, it should mean more minutes for Mario Hezonja, Meleek Thomas and Tyrese Proctor.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Not playing Saturday
Rotowire
Merrill (elbow) is out for Saturday's game against the Knicks.
Merrill exited Friday's game against the 76ers due to an elbow injury, and the Cavaliers are taking a cautious approach with him since he already missed time in the preseason with a right elbow problem. Meleek Thomas, Mario Hezonja and Tyrese Proctor could see more playing time with Merrill sidelined Saturday.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Won't return Friday night
Rotowire
Merrill (elbow) won't return to Friday's game against the 76ers, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
Merrill has been dealing with a right elbow issue since the preseason. While he hasn't missed any games during the regular season, he's now in danger of missing Saturday's game against the Knicks. If Merrill can't play in that contest, Meleek Thomas and Tyrese Proctor could see more playing time.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Starting Friday
Rotowire
Merrill is in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the 76ers, Serena Winters of FanDuel Sports Network Ohio reports.
Merrill is moving to the starting lineup due to the absence of Jarrett Allen (knee), as Evan Mobley has moved to center and Peyton Watson will get the nod at power forward. Merrill is averaging 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds per game while shooting 34.1 percent from three. This will be his first start of the season.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Adds seven boards off bench
Rotowire
Merrill produced 10 points (3-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal over 27 minutes during Wednesday's 124-116 loss to the Thunder.
Merrill contributed more than his usual perimeter shooting, matching his scoring output with a strong rebounding effort and adding defensive production. He connected on half of his four three-point attempts and didn't commit a turnover, though five personal fouls limited his effectiveness. The sharpshooter remains most appealing in deeper formats where his three-point production can provide a boost.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Limited again in win
Rotowire
Merrill supplied six points (2-4 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds, three assists and one steal across 19 minutes during Saturday's 136-111 victory over Milwaukee.
Merrill was unable to replicate his performance from two nights earlier, scoring single digits for the fifth time in six appearances this season. He has exceeded 30 minutes only once and for a three-point stream option, he has been largely underwhelming, averaging just 1.7 three-pointers per game thus far.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Scores season-high 16 points
Rotowire
Merrill registered 16 points (6-11 FG, 4-8 3Pt), two rebounds, three assists and a steal across 27 minutes in Thursday's 114-111 loss to the Hawks.
Merrill provided efficient perimeter scoring, making half of his eight three-point attempts en route to season-high marks in points and three-pointers made. However, Merrill's minimal impact in other categories makes him a better fit for category-based formats, as his value depends heavily on three-point volume and efficiency. His bench role and the fact that this was his first double-digit-point outing don't help his case, either.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Underwhelms again Wednesday
Rotowire
Merrill had eight points (2-7 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), one rebound, one assist and one steal in 20 minutes during Wednesday's 121-111 win over Washington.
Merrill logged a season-low 20 minutes, scoring single digits for the fourth straight game. After averaging 26.5 minutes per game during the 2025-26 season, an increase in playing time this season feels unlikely at this stage. Those in standard leagues should view him as nothing more than a potential three-point streaming option.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Quiet in opener
Rotowire
Merrill chipped in five points (2-5 FG, 1-3 3Pt), five rebounds, two assists and one steal over 24 minutes during Thursday's 114-106 loss to Philadelphia.
Merrill struggled to make an offensive impact in Cleveland's season opener, connecting on just one three-pointer despite logging a solid workload off the bench. His perimeter shooting should remain his primary source of fantasy value, though his production could fluctuate depending on his opportunities.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Not listed on injury report
Rotowire
Merrill (elbow) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Thursday's regular-season opener in Philadelphia.
Merrill skipped Cleveland's preseason finale due to some soreness in his shooting elbow, but he's been fully cleared for Opening Night. Merrill will be battling Jaylon Tyson and Mario Hezonja for reserve minutes on the wings this season.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Practices fully
Rotowire
Head coach Kenny Atkinson said Tuesday that Merrill (elbow) went through a full practice, per Danny Cunningham of Sports Radio 92.3 The Fan Cleveland.
It sounds like Merrill is progressing well from an elbow injury. The Cavaliers will release their first injury report Wednesday, and Merrill can be tentatively deemed questionable for Thursday's regular-season opener against the 76ers in the meantime.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Not scrimmaging Saturday
Rotowire
Merrill (elbow) isn't participating in Saturday's scrimmage, Danny Cunningham of Sports Radio 92.3 The Fan Cleveland reports.
Merrill was held out of Tuesday's preseason finale due to right elbow soreness and won't scrimmage Saturday. He can be considered questionable for Thursday's regular-season opener against the 76ers until the Cavaliers provide an update on his status.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Ruled out Tuesday
Rotowire
Merrill (elbow) has been ruled out for Tuesday's preseason game against the Magic, Serena Winters of FanDuel Sports Network Ohio reports.
Merrill will be held out of Cleveland's preseason finale due to right elbow soreness. The 30-year-old sharpshooter's next opportunity to play will come in the Cavaliers' regular-season opener against Philadelphia on Thursday, Oct. 22.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Crowded wing rotation
Rotowire
Peyton Watson's arrival gives Cleveland another option on the wing, though Merrill's elite perimeter shooting provides him with a skill that remains particularly valuable alongside Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
Watson shot 41.1 percent from three last season over 54 regular-season games, but he's historically been a relatively low-volume shooter, so Merrill could continue to have a role when the Cavaliers need additional floor spacing. Even so, Cleveland's increasingly crowded wing rotation leaves Merrill with a relatively narrow path to consistent fantasy relevance.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Sees 18 minutes in loss
Rotowire
Merrill amassed five points (2-4 FG, 1-2 3Pt), one rebound and one assist in 18 minutes during Monday's 130-93 loss to the Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Merrill, playing in his sixth NBA season, put together a career year in Cleveland. Injuries limited him to 52 regular-season appearances, but he put together averages of 12.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 3.0 three-pointers in 26.5 minutes per contest. Merrill is under contract with the Cavaliers for three more seasons.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Catches fire in Game 7 blowout
Rotowire
Merrill closed Sunday's 125-94 victory over the Pistons in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with 23 points (7-10 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 4-4 FT), one rebound, two assists and one steal across 25 minutes.
Merrill scored at least 20 points for the first time this postseason, providing the Cavaliers with an emphatic performance off the bench. He was one of four Cleveland players to score at least 20 points, contributing to what ended up being a comfortable victory. Despite this effort, Merrill's recent form has been somewhat underwhelming, as he's averaged just 8.1 points and 1.8 three-pointers through 13 playoff games.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Officially cleared for Game 3
Rotowire
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.
