Sam Merrill's Absence Lingers, But Cavs Know His Value Runs Deep
The Cleveland Cavaliers are navigating a tough stretch, and they’re doing it without one of their most reliable floor spacers. Sam Merrill has now missed six straight games with a hand injury, and he’s officially been ruled out for Monday night’s matchup against the Indiana Pacers.
He’s not the only Cavalier on the shelf. Cleveland’s injury report is starting to resemble a starting five of its own.
Larry Nance Jr., Max Strus, Jarrett Allen, and Merrill were already expected to be out, but the team will also be missing Darius Garland (toe injury management) and Lonzo Ball (illness) for the game in Indiana. That’s a lot of firepower and versatility sitting in street clothes.
Still, Merrill’s absence has raised some eyebrows among fans, especially on social media, where one user questioned why the sharpshooter hasn’t returned to the court. Cavs insider Chris Fedor didn’t hesitate to push back, noting that the swelling and bruising on Merrill’s hand after the injury was “NASTY” - the kind of damage that doesn’t just go away with a little ice and tape.
And here’s the thing: Merrill’s injury isn’t just keeping him sidelined - it’s keeping the Cavs from maximizing one of their most efficient offensive weapons. Before going down, Merrill was off to a scorching start.
In 12 games this season (eight of them starts), he was averaging 13.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. But the real story was his shooting - 46.6% from the field and a blistering 44.4% from beyond the arc.
That’s elite territory, especially on a team that needs spacing to unlock its offense.
With Max Strus still waiting to make his season debut due to a foot injury, Merrill’s absence is even more pronounced. He’s the kind of wing the Cavs can plug in to keep the floor stretched, and his ability to move without the ball and hit shots off the catch makes him a perfect fit alongside Cleveland’s ball-dominant guards.
It’s been a steady rise for Merrill. After bouncing around early in his career - with brief stints in Milwaukee and Memphis - he’s carved out a real role in Cleveland.
Last season, he appeared in 71 games and averaged 7.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. He shot 40.6% from the field and 37.2% from deep, with the vast majority of his shots (5.2 of 6.0 per game) coming from beyond the arc.
That kind of volume and efficiency earned him a four-year, $38 million deal this past offseason - a clear sign the Cavs believe in his long-term value.
And they should. Merrill isn’t just a shooter - he’s a system guy.
He understands spacing, timing, and how to play off stars. His presence on the wing makes it easier for Garland and Donovan Mitchell to get downhill, and his gravity opens up driving lanes and post touches.
Yes, Cleveland is in a bit of a rut - three straight losses and a 12-9 record through 21 games - but this team still has the pieces to make noise in a wide-open Eastern Conference. The key will be health. With so many rotation players out, the Cavs are being forced to dig deep into their bench, and while that can build depth in the long run, it makes consistency hard to come by in the short term.
So while some fans might be impatient, the Cavs know that rushing Merrill back would be a mistake. His value isn’t just in what he brings today - it’s in what he can bring when the games really start to matter.
If Cleveland wants to be at full strength for a postseason push, they’ll need Merrill healthy, confident, and ready to fire. And judging by what we’ve seen so far this season, when he’s back, he’ll be ready to make an impact.