SAM MERRILL NEWS

Will start vs. Indiana Merrill will be in the starting lineup for the Cavaliers on Thursday against the Pacers.

Impact Merrill will be in the first unit for the fourth time this season. The Utah State product is averaging 13.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 59.1 percent from the field and 60 percent from beyond the arc as a starter.

APRIL 10 • ROTOWIRE

Retreating to bench Thursday Merrill is not in the Cavaliers' starting lineup against the Spurs on Thursday, Serena Winters of FanDuel Sports Network Ohio reports.

Impact Merrill made his third start of the season Tuesday against Portland and finished with 14 points (5-7 FG, 4-6 3Pt), three assists and two rebounds over 30 minutes. He'll revert to a reserve role Thursday due to the return of Donovan Mitchell (groin).

MARCH 27 • ROTOWIRE

Starting sans Mitchell Merrill will start in Tuesday's game against the Trail Blazers.

Impact The 28-year-old shooting guard will step into the starting lineup for just the third time on the season due to Donovan Mitchell (groin) being sidelined. Over his last five outings, Merrill has averaged 3.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steals across 17.6 minutes per contest.

MARCH 26 • ROTOWIRE

Hands out five assists Merrill logged six points (2-9 FG, 2-9 3Pt), five rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal across 25 minutes during Sunday's 120-91 victory over the Jazz.

Impact For the third time this season, Merrill recorded at least five dimes. Despite a decent line Sunday, Merrill's fantasy appeal remains limited to very deep formats. Over his last five outings, Merrill holds averages of 3.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 three-pointers.

MARCH 24 • ROTOWIRE

Lands four triples in win Merrill ended Friday's 118-117 win over the Hornets with 12 points (4-4 FG, 4-4 3Pt) and one rebound over 19 minutes.

Impact Merrill was perfect from the perimeter, connecting on four triples en route to 12 points. A known sharpshooter, Merrill has now hit multiple three-pointers in three of the past four games. His skill set is limited to being able to hit the long ball, meaning his role is typically capped to no more than 20 minutes per game.

MARCH 8 • ROTOWIRE

NBA-leading Cavaliers win 13th straight game, rallying to edge Hornets 118-117

Donovan Mitchell scored 24 points and the NBA-leading Cleveland Cavaliers rallied for their 13th straight victory, 118-117 over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night

MARCH 8 • Associated Press

Ties season high with three steals Merrill chipped in five points (2-4 FG, 1-3 3Pt), four rebounds, four assists and three steals over 17 minutes during Friday's 142-105 victory over the Knicks.

Impact Merrill's three steals tied a team-high output with Evan Mobley on Friday, also matching a season high that was set during the Dec. 23 win over Utah. The 28-year-old sharpshooter logged his fewest minutes since the Jan. 25 loss to Houston, and his playing time could begin to dwindle while a deep Cavaliers rotation continues to get healthier. Over his last seven outings, Merrill has averaged 11.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 3.1 three-pointers in 24.4 minutes while shooting 45.8 percent from three-point land.

FEBRUARY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Balanced outing in return to lineup Merrill closed with nine points (3-8 FG, 3-8 3Pt), six rebounds and two steals across 29 minutes during Monday's 128-107 victory over the Timberwolves.

Impact Merrill returned Monday after missing Cleveland's previous contest due to personal reasons, putting forth a balanced outing while leading all bench players in rebounds and steals to go along with finishing one point short of the double-digit mark. Merrill matched a season-high mark in rebounds while posting his 16th outing with nine or more points.

FEBRUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Balanced outing in return to lineup Merrill closed with nine points (3-8 FG, 3-8 3Pt), six rebounds and two steals across 29 minutes during Monday's 128-107 victory over the Timberwolves.

Impact Merrill returned Monday after missing Cleveland's previous contest due to personal reasons, putting forth a balanced outing while leading all bench players in rebounds and steals to go along with finishing one point short of the double-digit mark. Merrill matched a season-high mark in rebounds, posting his 16th outing with nine or more points.

FEBRUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Off report for Monday Merrill (personal) is off the injury report for Monday's game against Minnesota.

Impact Merrill is expected to return to game action after missing Friday's win over Washington due to personal reasons. Over his last five outings, the 28-year-old has averaged 11.4 points, 3.2 three-pointers, 2.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 24.2 minutes per contest.

FEBRUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Out for personal reasons Merrill (personal) is out for Friday's game against the Wizards.

Impact Merrill won't play Friday due to personal reasons, and his next chance to suit up for the Cavaliers arrives Monday against Minnesota. Isaac Okoro (shoulder) is also out, and it's unclear if De'Andre Hunter will be able to join the team in time for Friday's action. With Caris LeVert having been traded, Max Strus and Ty Jerome could be needed to handle heavy minutes against Washington.

FEBRUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Season best outing as top scorer Merrill had 27 points (9-14 FG, 9-13 3Pt) and one rebound across 23 minutes during Sunday's 144-101 victory over the Mavericks.

Impact Merrill shined offensively Sunday while coming off the Cleveland bench, leading all players in scoring and threes made while setting new season-high marks in both categories. Merrill previously held season highs of six threes made and 20 points, but was red-hot in a blowout win to put together his best outing of the year.

FEBRUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Mavericks get absolutely rocked by Cavs in first game since Luka Dončić trade

Cleveland set a franchise record with 91 points in the first half as it beat Dallas, 144-101, soon after the Mavs traded Luka Dončić.

FEBRUARY 2 • FOX SPORTS

Will play vs. Atlanta Merrill (illness) is available for Thursday's game against the Hawks, Ethan Sands of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Impact Merrill will return to the hardwood after missing the first leg of this back-to-back set Wednesday. He's played at least 17 minutes off the bench in each of his last five games, so he might see a decent amount of minutes in this game.

JANUARY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Iffy versus Atlanta Merrill (illness) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Hawks.

Impact Merrill is in danger of missing his second straight contest Thursday due to an illness. If the 28-year-old guard is forced to sit out yet again, Craig Porter and Jaylon Tyson could continue to receive increased playing time.

JANUARY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out against Miami Merrill (illness) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Heat.

Impact Merrill will miss Wednesday's game for the Cavaliers as he battles an illness. The 28-year-old has missed only seven games for Cleveland this season, and in his absence in Miami, Georges Niang and Max Strus could see a boost in minutes.

JANUARY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Wednesday Merrill (illness) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Heat.

Impact Merrill was a late addition to the injury report and is in danger of missing the first leg of this back-to-back set. If Merrill is unable to play, Georges Niang and Max Strus could be relied on a bit more for their floor spacing.

JANUARY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Scores 10 points Merrill notched 10 points (3-9 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, one assist and two steals across 22 minutes during Monday's 118-92 win over Phoenix.

Impact Caris LeVert (wrist), Isaac Okoro (shoulder) and Evan Mobley (calf) were all sidelined Monday, allowing Merrill to step into a larger role. Despite a strong showing Monday, fantasy managers shouldn't overreact just yet -- Merrill is hitting 37.3 percent from the field this season with averages of 6.6 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.7 three-pointers.

JANUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Comes up empty from distance Merrill (ankle) finished with two points (1-4 FG, 0-2 3Pt) across 13 minutes in Thursday's 132-126 win over the Raptors.

Impact Cleveland held out star guard Donovan Mitchell for rest purposes in the second leg of a back-to-back set, but the return of Merrill from a three-game absence due to a right ankle sprain helped restore some depth in the backcourt. The Cavaliers didn't turn to Merrill to absorb most of Mitchell's vacated playing time, as Caris LeVert (36 minutes) and Ty Jerome (20 minutes) were instead bigger beneficiaries. Assuming Mitchell is back in action for Sunday's game against the Pacers, minutes will likely be more difficult to come by for Cleveland's reserve guards and wings, and Merrill could even find himself outside of head coach Kenny Atkinson's rotation.

JANUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Available vs. Toronto Merrill (ankle) is available for Thursday's game against the Raptors, Chris Fedor of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Impact Merrill didn't play Thursday against the Thunder, but he's healthy enough to suit up in the second leg of this back-to-back set. Merrill will play for the first time since Dec. 31, when he logged eight minutes off the bench in a win over the Mavericks.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Iffy for Thursday Merrill (ankle) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game versus the Raptors.

Impact Merrill is in danger of missing his fourth straight contest Thursday due to a right ankle sprain. With Donovan Mitchell (rest) already ruled out against Toronto, Max Strus and Caris LeVert could receive increased playing time.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE