Sam Merrill ‘hurt’ after early exit against Pistons
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill accidentally broke and injured his right hip on Monday evening against the Detroit Pistons in the third quarter. He was injured on a play in the first half where he came in holding his hip, but continued to play until the Cavs called to err on the side of caution.
“He’s hurting,” Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson said after the team’s 116-95 victory. “When Sam can’t get back in the game, it’s (painful). I think Evan (Mobley) actually hit him in the hip. They kind of (collided). It looks like a hip pointer. It’s painful, so we’ll see. But he’s hurting right now.”
This is ill-timed, given Merrill’s productive first week of the 2025-26 season, so hopefully this setback won’t last long. He he was already dealing with the kidnapper’s injury it kept him out of the first three preseason games.
The 29-year-old swingman is off to a hot start this year in more ways than one.
First, he knocked down 18 3-pointers in four games. Furthermore, Atkinson allows him to play more freely with and without the ball; this includes playing, getting on the floor, screening and initiating in certain possessions.
Defensively, Merrill was one of their most reliable pressure guys. He picked up the full court, solidified himself on the block against bigger opponents and boxed out whoever was trying to get an offensive board.
“The guy was probably our best player the first three games,” Atkinson said Sunday after Cleveland’s home opener. “Just simple, both ends look great.”
“He’s probably wrong, but we have guys who have much more difficult roles,” Merrill replied. “But obviously, I’m glad he sees me not only shooting, but trying to make game-winning plays and defend at a high level.”
The Cavs will next travel to play the Boston Celtics. Judging by Atkinson’s update, it wouldn’t be surprising if Cleveland is without its current starting quarterback. Only wine and gold returned a significant player in De’Andre Hunterso at least that’s a positive. Still, this is a buzzkill early on.
2025-10-28 04:19:00
