The Cleveland Cavaliers’ promising start to the season has taken a worrying turn tonight. Against the Detroit Pistons, Cavs guard Sam Merrill was forced to leave the floor early after starting the game strongly. After becoming a steady starter in Cleveland’s rotation in place of the injured Darius Garland, his exit prompted instant concern from Cavs teammates and fans. This kind of unexpected pause could shift the rhythm of a team looking to get out to an early lead in the Eastern Conference.

Soon afterward, the picture became clearer but more concerning. Merrill left the court with the team’s athletic trainer after being spotted grimacing and crouching following the team’s timeout in the third quarter. It was later revealed that he had suffered a hip contusion and would not return for the rest of the night. Details on the injury’s severity and timeline have not yet been disclosed, leaving viewers waiting for further evaluation.

Merrill’s growing importance in the Cavaliers‘ backcourt makes the setback much more concerning than it might appear on paper. With Garland out and Ty Jerome exiting in free agency, Merrill’s role as an experienced and consistent perimeter shooter had become a stabilizing factor for the guard room; the backups are now almost entirely rookies and sophomores. Losing him now, even if it’s temporary, threatens to disrupt the Cavs’ offensive rhythm, especially with the emphasis on ball movement and balanced scoring.

Just before tonight’s game, Sam Merrill was averaging 19.3 points per game, taking 9.7 three-point attempts per contest- ranking 7th in the NBA- and shooting an impressive 51.7% from beyond the arc, which placed him 11th in the league. Moreover, he hit a clutch three-pointer in the first night of the back-to-back to stop Milwaukee’s surging momentum, which saw them go on multiple runs to seal the win for Cleveland effectively.

Head coach Kenny Atkinson has not shied away from praising Merrill. Just yesterday, Atkinson said, “I mean the guy’s probably been our best player over the first three games, quite simply, on both ends.” This offseason, he was resigned by Koby Altman’s front office on a four-year, $38 million contract, and he’s already proving his value.

Merrill downplayed his coach’s comments humorously, saying, “He’s probably not right… We have guys that have a lot more difficult roles but I am glad he sees it.” Despite this, his teammates have maintained support for him, with superstar Donovan Mitchell saying, “He comes in there every day, picking up full-court, being a pest and then obviously knocking down threes. It’s great to continue to have that type of leadership.” Now, the Cavs will have to find ways to stay afloat.

Cleveland Cavaliers Weigh Options After Sam Merrill’s Injury

With Sam Merrill out, the Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to rely on their young depth to compensate for the shooting loss. The most probable candidate is sophomore guard Jaylon Tyson, who was selected 20th overall in the 2024 draft. Standing at 6’6″, Tyson has demonstrated moments of composure and playmaking this season, and his defensive capabilities can help fill the gap left by Merrill. While not as consistent a three-point shooter as Merrill, Tyson has made progress and has looked effective from beyond the arc this season.

Kenny Atkinson has already commended Tyson’s maturity, calling him a “10-year vet” following a solid performance at the Summer League. “He gets all the things we need him to do to get better. He’s desperate,” Atkinson remarked. This confidence may result in increased playing time, particularly as a secondary perimeter playmaker.

Beyond Tyson, Cleveland will likely also look at Lonzo Ball, who they traded for this offseason in exchange for Isaac Okoro. However, with Ball still on a minutes restriction. Also, Tyrese Proctor, a rookie, is still learning how to play at the NBA level. This means now is the best time for Tyson to show he can be a key player and earn a spot in the team’s regular lineup, playing alongside their star player.