Sam Merrill has been one of the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ best players to start the season, according to head coach Kenny Atkinson. That continued into Monday’s showing against the Detroit Pistons where he canned three of his six triples for 11 points in 18 minutes of action.
Merrill’s night was cut short. He exited Monday’s game in the third quarter with a right hip contusion. He was ruled out for the remainder of the contest shortly thereafter.
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We currently don’t know the severity of the injury. It doesn’t make sense to rush him back into a game as lopsided as Monday’s. At the same time, it’d be a shame if this were an injury that keeps Merrill out of any games.
Merrill is currently playing the best basketball of his career. He’s taken advantage of the increased minutes he’s been given and his opportunity to be in the starting lineup while Darius Garland recovers from the toe surgery he underwent this past summer. Merrill is averaging 17.3 points per game on 51.4% shooting from beyond the arc through four games.
Atkinson would likely turn to Jaylon Tyson again if Merrill is forced to miss time. The Cavs are next in action on Wednesday when they travel to New England to take on the Boston Celtics. They then return home to play the Toronto Raptors on Halloween.
