Sam Merrill remains sidelined with a wrist injury, as the Cleveland Cavaliers' head coach says it's been a "slow healing process."
Sam Merrill was playing some of the best basketball of his career to kick off the NBA season. Not only that, but the Cleveland Cavaliers needed the sharpshooter to step up due to other injuries, and Merrill was answering the call.
Then, on November 17 against the Milwaukee Bucks, Merrill suffered a wrist injury that has kept him sidelined ever since, and the Cavaliers don’t seem to have any answer on when he could be back on the floor.
Kenny Atkinson shared on Wednesday that Merrill was not participating in practice, but he didn’t have much else to say about the progress the sharpshooter has made in his rehab.
“I don't know what to tell you guys. He's frustrated. We're frustrated, and it's just a slow healing process. That's where we are,” explained Cleveland’s head coach.
“[The injury] hasn't gotten worse, swelling has, you know, swelling is decreasing. But, you know, the fact is he’s still not able to shoot with his right hand, and catch. It’s just hard to move forward… He's frustrated more than anybody that this thing's not healing quicker. But there's nothing structural, no setbacks, none of that. ”
Oct 26, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) celebrates after hitting a three point basket against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesThe good news is that, since the injury is to Merrill’s hand, he’s still been able to train and get movement in on the floor, just not partake in basketball activities.
Atkinson continued, “So we're just focusing on sprinting, conditioning. You guys know Sam. He's doing everything else.”
Hopefully, since Merrill has been able to keep his condition up, he can get right back in Cleveland’s lineup once the swelling is fully down and he’s able to shoot the ball again.
So far this season, Merrill is averaging 13.9 points per game while shooting 44 percent from three and 46 percent from the floor. That’s the type of production that isn’t easy to simply replace and replicate.
The Cavaliers have desperately missed Merrill’s three-point threat. Since he’s been out, Cleveland is shooting 33 percent from behind the arc as a team, which ranks 28th in the NBA over that stretch.
Obviously, the Cavaliers need Merrill back on the floor, but it sounds like it could be a little before that happens.