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By Evan Dammarell
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The Cleveland Cavaliers picked up their third straight win Monday night with a 116 to 95 result over the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Yet a strong performance on the scoreboard turned into a night of concern as standout guard Sam Merrill left the game with a right hip contusion that could complicate the team’s early-season momentum.
Merrill had been one of Cleveland’s most productive players through the first week of the season. That carried into Detroit, where he finished with 11 points and hit three of his six three-point attempts in just 18 minutes. His night ended abruptly in the third quarter after a collision with Evan Mobley earlier in the game led to increased discomfort that he could not shake off. Cleveland's training staff ruled him out shortly after.
“He's hurting,” Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson said postgame. “When Sam can't come back in the game, it's [painful]. I think Evan [Mobley] actually hit him in the hip. Somehow they [collided]. Looks like a hip pointer. Those are painful, so we'll see. But he's hurting right now.”
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Cleveland.com's Cavaliers beat reporter Ethan Sands noted that Merrill walked around the locker room with a clear limp. The team does not yet have a timetable for his return and plans to evaluate his progress before making any decisions. Atkinson stressed that Merrill’s competitiveness made the decision necessary because the guard would have preferred to continue playing.
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The timing of the injury is especially frustrating for the Cavaliers. Merrill has emerged as a spark in the lineup while Cleveland works through its current injury situation in the backcourt. Darius Garland continues to recover from offseason toe surgery. Max Strus remains sidelined because of a foot issue. Lonzo Ball is available only in select situations as the team manages his workload.
Atkinson praised Merrill more than once in recent days. After Cleveland’s win over Milwaukee on Sunday, he said Merrill “has probably been our best player over the first three games.” Merrill responded by deflecting praise and acknowledging that his teammates manage extremely challenging roles as well.
“He's probably not right, but we have guys that have a lot more difficult roles,” Merrill said in response to Atkinson. “But, obviously, I'm glad that he sees that I’m not just making shots, but trying to make winning plays and defend at a high level.”
Merrill has made 18 triples through four games and has averaged 17.3 points while shooting 51.4 percent from deep. His impact is also rooted in his speed of decision-making on offense and his strong positioning on defense. Atkinson noted that Merrill’s willingness to pick up opposing guards full court and to battle physically in the paint has increased the trust of his teammates.
Donovan Mitchell echoed that message. The All-Star guard praised Merrill for embracing rugged assignments and communicating more aggressively on defense.
“You want that,” Mitchell said of Merrill’s defensive acumen. “You want a guy who’s willing to do whatever it takes. He was one of our better defenders last year, and he’s showing it again this year."
Merrill’s road to this moment has been steady and hard-earned. The former last pick in the 2020 NBA Draft signed a four-year deal worth $38 million this summer after two seasons of growth in Cleveland. He entered this year ready for a bigger role and eager to prove his value in expanded minutes while Garland healed.
Cleveland has taken a careful approach to injuries since the preseason. Merrill dealt with soreness in his abductor that kept him out of most exhibition play. Atkinson has repeatedly stressed that no player will be rushed as the team focuses on long-term goals.
Still, losing Merrill for any time would challenge the Cavaliers while they attempt to build rhythm early in the season. If he is unavailable on Wednesday night in Boston, rookie Jaylon Tyson should receive more on-court opportunities.
Cleveland knows what Merrill means to a team trying to grow stronger every night. His shooting stretches defenses. His energy fuels the rotation. His confidence lifts the group around him.
The hope is that this injury interruption is brief. Merrill has been an essential discovery in the Cavaliers' early steps of their 2025-26 season. Without him, they will have to find that same spark from somewhere else.
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