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.
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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.
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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.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Doesn't practice Sunday
Rotowire
Merrill (wrist) did not practice Sunday and is considered day-to-day ahead of Wednesday's preseason matchup against the Pistons, Evan Dammarell of FearTheSword.com reports.
Merrill was unable to suit up during Thursday's preseason game against the Pacers due to wrist soreness. The club is expected to remain overly cautious with the 28-year-old during the preseason, though there is no indication that he will miss time in the regular season.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Won't play Thursday
Rotowire
Merrill is out for Thursday's preseason game versus the Pacers due to wrist soreness, Chris Fedor of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
There is no indication that Merrill is in danger of missing any regular-season action, but his wrist soreness will hold him out of Thursday's contest. Merrill's next chance to suit up is Wednesday's preseason matchup with Detroit.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Fails to score in 11 minutes
Rotowire
Merrill notched zero points (0-1 FG) across 11 minutes during Saturday's 106-93 loss to the Celtics in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Merrill missed his only shot attempt, failing to have an impact once again. Although he did have a couple of bright spots throughout the season, Merrill has been a non-factor in the playoffs.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Handles light role in series opener
Rotowire
Merrill (neck) was held scoreless (0-2 FG, 0-2 3Pt) with two rebounds and one assist in four minutes Saturday in the Cavaliers' 97-83 win over the Magic in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series.
Merrill had missed the Cavaliers' final three games of the regular season with a neck strain, but he was back in action for the playoff opener. The fourth-year wing was barely able to hold down a spot in head coach J.B. Bickerstaff's rotation, however, as Merrill played just four minutes in the second quarter and didn't check into the contest at any point in the second half.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: No restrictions for Game 1
Rotowire
Merrill (neck) isn't expected to face any restrictions Saturday in Game 1 of the Cavaliers' opening-round series with the Magic, Spencer Davies of SI.com reports.
Merrill sat out the final three games of the regular season due to a neck strain. The 27-year-old is good to go for the start of the Cavaliers' postseason run, but he won't be guaranteed a sizable role in the rotation while Cleveland has all of its key wings available.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Set to return for Game 1
Rotowire
Merrill (illness) isn't on the injury report for Saturday's Game 1 against the Magic.
Merrill sat out the final three games of the regular season due to a neck strain, but he'll be able to suit up to begin the playoffs. The 27-year-old averaged 8.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 17.5 minutes per game during the regular season.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Participates in practice
Rotowire
Merrill (neck) went through Wednesday's practice without issue, Chris Fedor of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Merrill missed the final three games of the regular season due to a neck strain. However, Merrill's participation in practice is a good sign of his availability for Saturday's Game 1 against the Magic.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Won't play Wednesday
Rotowire
Merrill (neck) is out for Wednesday's game versus the Grizzlies, Serena Winters of Bally Sports Cleveland reports.
Merrill has been downgraded from doubtful to out Wednesday after suffering a neck strain while attempting to take a charge versus the Clippers. His next chance to play is Friday's matchup with Indiana.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Dealing with neck injury
Rotowire
Merrill missed Tuesday's practice due to a neck injury, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com reports.
Merrill suffered the injury during the first half of Sunday's loss to the Clippers while attempting to take a charge on Paul George. "He almost got like a whiplash type of thing," coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. Merrill's official status for Wednesday's game against Memphis has yet to be released.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Pops for 18 points from bench
Rotowire
Merrill recorded 18 points (6-13 FG, 6-12 3Pt), four rebounds and five assists in 32 minutes during Tuesday's 129-113 win over the Jazz.
Merrill was lethal from the perimeter, converting six three-pointers in a masterful run with the second unit. Merrill's success is entirely dependent on the long ball, and with a 41.1 percent conversion rate on the season, positive totals usually come his way with a high shot volume beyond the arc.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Hits five threes vs. Charlotte
Rotowire
Merrill registered 17 points (5-11 FG, 5-11 3Pt, 2-3 FT), three rebounds, two assists and one steal in 24 minutes during Wednesday's 118-111 loss to the Hornets.
Wednesday marked the eighth time this season Merrill has hit five or more threes in a game. He's gone 9-for-19 from beyond the arc over his last two games following an 0-for-6 outing against the Heat on March 24. Merrill has played 20-plus minutes in 12 of his last 14 games, and he is averaging 9.5 points on 36.1 percent three-point shooting, 2.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists over 24.6 minutes per game in March.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Hits four threes off bench vs. Heat
Rotowire
Merrill tallied 12 points (4-9 FG, 4-9 3Pt) and one rebound over 21 minutes in Wednesday's 107-104 loss to Miami.
Merrill has gone 14-for-30 from three over his last four games and has played at least 20 minutes in six straight contests. With Donovan Mitchell (nose) and Max Strus (knee) sidelined, Caris LeVert has been inserted into the starting lineup, meaning that Merrill will be the first guard off the bench for the Cavaliers in the short term.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Not starting Wednesday
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Merrill isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Hawks, Serena Winters of Bally Sports Cleveland reports.
Merrill drew a start Tuesday and scored six points (2-7 FG) in 30 minutes. However, he'll head to the bench with Cleveland opting to start Georges Niang, Dean Wade and Jarrett Allen in the frontcourt, as Evan Mobley (ankle) is slated for a multi-week absence. Over his last three appearances, Merrill has averaged 13.0 points in 28.0 minutes per game.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Gets the start Tuesday
Rotowire
Merrill will start in place of Max Strus (knee) for Tuesday's game versus Boston.
Merrill profiles as a pivotal weapon to combat the lethal shooting of Boston's starting five. The 27-year-old has posted 11-for-22 three-point shooting across his last two contests. He starts alongside Darius Garland and Isaac Okoro in a shorthanded Cleveland rotation.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Makes four threes in win Friday
Rotowire
Merrill finished with 12 points (4-9 FG, 4-9 3Pt), three rebounds and one assist over 25 minutes during Friday's 110-100 victory over the Pistons.
Merrill contributed offensively with his outside shooting, registering his ninth game with four or more three-pointers made. The former Utah State standout went through a rough patch in February, averaging just 4.8 points per game, but he still shot 44.1 percent from three-point range, so it was more a case of him not getting enough touches instead of struggling with his mechanics. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, Merrill doesn't have a lot of fantasy upside due to his limited role off the bench, though in a best-case scenario, he's better suited to be a decent streaming alternative for managers in need of three-point stats in category-based formats.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Not on Thursday's injury report
Rotowire
Merrill (illness) isn't on the injury report for Thursday's game against the Magic.
Merrill missed the Cavaliers' final game before the All-Star break due to an illness, but he should be back in action as the team returns from the layoff. If Donovan Mitchell (illness) is sidelined, Merrill could see a slight uptick in playing time.
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Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Out for Wednesday
Rotowire
Merrill (illness) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Bulls, Chris Fedor of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Merrill will sit out Cleveland's final game heading into the All-Star break with an illness, but he should be fine for their next game Feb. 22. He's not a large enough part of the rotation for his playing status to impact fantasy hoops.
