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The Cleveland Cavaliers will be without Sam Merrill tonight against the Boston Celtics. Merrill has been ruled out with a right hip contusion that he suffered during Monday’s 116-95 win over the Detroit Pistons. The injury happened in the third quarter, cutting his night short after just 18 minutes on the floor.
Sam Merrill appeared to grab his hip earlier in the game but kept playing until the pain became too much. After the win, head coach Kenny Atkinson said the guard was clearly in discomfort. He explained that Evan Mobley accidentally collided with Merrill, likely causing a hip pointer injury. Atkinson said Merrill was in a lot of pain and that the team would need to wait and see how he responds.
The setback comes at a tough time for Cleveland. Merrill had earned a starting role to open the season while Darius Garland and Max Strus recover from their own injuries. In four games, Sam Merrill has been one of the team’s best shooters, averaging 17.3 points per game on 52.5 percent shooting overall and an impressive 51.4 percent from three-point range. His hot shooting has been a key factor in the Cavs’ strong 3-1 start, with 18 made threes so far this season.
With Merrill sidelined, Atkinson will likely look to Jaylon Tyson or Lonzo Ball to step into the starting lineup. The team had just started to find its rhythm after getting De’Andre Hunter back, but this injury forces another quick adjustment to the rotation.
Sam Merrill’s next opportunity to return will come on Friday, October 31, when the Cavaliers host the Toronto Raptors.