Sam Merrill News, Rumors, Updates - Cleveland Cavaliers

Cavaliers survive a late Nets rally to win home opener 125-121

Donovan Mitchell scored 22 points, Jarrett Allen added 21 points, and the Cleveland Cavaliers won their home opener, 125-121 over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night

1 DAY AGO • Associated Press

Quiet in opener 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.

Impact 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.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Not listed on injury report Merrill (elbow) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Thursday's regular-season opener in Philadelphia.

Impact 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.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Practices fully 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.

Impact It sounds like Merrill is progressing well from an elbow injury. The Cavaliers are likely to release their first injury report Wednesday, and Merrill can be tentatively deemed questionable for Thursday's season opener against the Heat in the meantime.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Not scrimmaging Saturday Merrill (elbow) isn't participating in Saturday's scrimmage, Danny Cunningham of Sports Radio 92.3 The Fan Cleveland reports.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out Tuesday Merrill (elbow) has been ruled out for Tuesday's preseason game against the Magic, Serena Winters of FanDuel Sports Network Ohio reports.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Sam Merrill Makes Bold Claim About Cavs Defensive Hopes Sam Merrill is coming off a fantastic season with the Cavaliers. During his most recent media session too, he was harping on the fact that t...

OCTOBER 9 • SI.COM

Hits two triples Merrill finished with eight points (3-4 FG, 2-3 3Pt) and one assist in 10 minutes during Thursday's 124-113 preseason loss to Boston.

Impact Merrill was efficient from the perimeter despite seeing limited playing time. The veteran sharpshooter should continue providing Cleveland with floor spacing off the bench, though his fantasy value will remain tied primarily to his three-point production and opportunities within the Cavaliers' backcourt rotation.

OCTOBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Cavs Sharpshooter Sam Merrill's Case for NBA Sixth Man of the Year There was perhaps no Cavalier who improved year-over-year like Sam Merrill did from 2024-25 to 2025-26. The team decided to pay him instead...

SEPTEMBER 3 • SI.COM

Cavaliers already have Max Strus replacement, and it's not Peyton Watson Peyton Watson cannot use Peyton Watson to replace Max Strus' three-point shooting, but they can use Sam Merrill.

AUGUST 26 • KINGJAMESGOSPEL.COM

Cavaliers' most important player next season may not even start for them The Cleveland Cavaliers have a number of stars, but their most crucial player might be Sam Merrill, as their other shooters are now long gon...

AUGUST 22 • KINGJAMESGOSPEL.COM

Crowded wing rotation 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...

Impact Watson shot 41.1 percent from three last season, 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.

AUGUST 20 • ROTOWIRE

Why Sam Merrill is Cavs Most Underrated Weapon Coming into the league as the last pick of his draft class, Sam Merrill had a chip on his shoulder from the get-go. He played sparingly as a...

AUGUST 14 • SI.COM

Three Teams to Watch at Summer League What do Sam Merrill, Jordan Miller, and Kyle Filipowski have in common? They're players in recent years who've stood out at summer league an...

JULY 4 • SI.COM

Sees 18 minutes in loss 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.

Impact 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.

MAY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Fails to fire in Game 2 loss Merrill recorded four points (1-8 FG, 0-7 3Pt, 2-4 FT) across 23 minutes during Thursday's 109-93 loss to the Knicks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Impact Merrill failed to land a single three-pointer for the first time in the past seven games, despite a number of good looks, particularly in the opening quarter. After having scored double digits in three straight games, Merrill simply couldn't find his rhythm, contributing to what was an underwhelming performance by Cleveland. Now trailing the series 2-0, the Cavaliers will head home for what is a must-win game Saturday.

MAY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Comeback or collapse? Knicks' Game 1 rally against the Cavaliers was a little bit of both

Call it a comeback

MAY 20 • Associated Press

Sam Merrill's 3-pointer looked so good that Mike Breen got fooled into a 'Bang!' | Sporting News Man, it looked like this would fall.

MAY 20 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Knicks, Cavaliers open East finals at Madison Square Garden, where they began with high expectations

Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers were sent to face Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks in a nationally televised season opener and to kick off Christmas, NBA schedule...

MAY 18 • Associated Press

Bickerstaff says Pistons will learn from their blowout loss in Game 7 against the Cavaliers

The stunning turnaround season for the Detroit Pistons ended Sunday night with a harsh reminder of how difficult the final step can be

MAY 18 • Associated Press

Catches fire in Game 7 blowout 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 s...

Impact 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, averaging just 8.1 points and 1.8 three-pointers through 13 playoff games.

MAY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Cavaliers' Game 7 hero was the guy no team wanted to sign The Cleveland Cavaliers demolished the Detroit Pistons in Game 7, and it was Sam Merrill who came through in a massive way - the hero no one...

MAY 18 • KINGJAMESGOSPEL.COM

Cavs' Donovan Mitchell breaks through, reaching the conference finals for the first time

Donovan Mitchell is heading to the conference finals for the first time

MAY 18 • Associated Press

Mitchell scores 26 and the Cavaliers rout the Pistons 125-94 in Game 7 to reach the East finals

Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points, Jarrett Allen and Sam Merrill each added 23 and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Detroit Pistons 125-94 on Sunday night in Game 7 to advance to t...

MAY 18 • Associated Press

Officially cleared for Game 3 Merrill (hamstring) is available for Saturday's Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals versus Detroit, Chris Fedor of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Impact 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.

MAY 9 • ROTOWIRE

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Cavaliers survive a late Nets rally to win home opener 125-121

Comeback or collapse? Knicks' Game 1 rally against the Cavaliers was a little bit of both

Knicks, Cavaliers open East finals at Madison Square Garden, where they began with high expectations

Bickerstaff says Pistons will learn from their blowout loss in Game 7 against the Cavaliers

Cavs' Donovan Mitchell breaks through, reaching the conference finals for the first time

Mitchell scores 26 and the Cavaliers rout the Pistons 125-94 in Game 7 to reach the East finals