Cavaliers Get Multiple Injury Updates Before Season Opener Against 76ers

Nae'Qwan Tomlin did not practice Monday, and Sam Merrill was limited, Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said three days before the season opener in Philadelphia.

Everyone else went through the full session.

"Except for Nae'Qwan, no," Atkinson said. "Sam was limited."

Merrill sat out the preseason finale, a 132-116 loss at Orlando on Oct. 13, with right elbow soreness. Tomlin has been held out with back tightness, cleveland.com reported.

Merrill played in two of Cleveland's three preseason games. Tomlin did not play in any of them, and neither did center Khalifa Diop.

The Cavaliers went 1-2 in the preseason. They lost 124-113 to the Boston Celtics on Oct. 8, beat the Orlando Magic 119-105 on Oct. 11, and lost to the Magic again two nights later.

Cleveland's rotation for Thursday will probably not be set until game time.

"I have a good idea in my mind, but we've just got to see how it plays out with who's in, who's out," Atkinson explained. "I've made that mistake before, where I say, hey, here's our [10], and the guy tweaks an [ankle], so. Probably wait up until game time."

The 11th man in Atkinson's plan is supposed to know that one absence puts him back in the group.

"Because you truly don't know your team. The more guys you can play, the more feedback you get. I think that's number one," Atkinson said. "And then opportunity. I think if you cut it right away to nine or eight, from a chemistry standpoint, connection standpoint, obviously the more guys you play, the more involved everybody is. And then that 11th guy knows he can get in the 10, so if a guy's out, I can slip into the rotation."

"And we know we have to develop our depth. I think that's the last thing," Atkinson continued. "We all know that's the league, professional sports in general. Depth is vital in today's game, so trying to develop that depth."

Cleveland went 52-30 last season, finished fourth in the Eastern Conference, and reached the conference finals for the first time since 2018. The New York Knicks swept the Cavaliers there.

The offseason took several regulars off that roster. Dean Wade signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, Keon Ellis went to the Brooklyn Nets, and Larry Nance Jr. joined the Indiana Pacers.

Max Strus went to the Los Angeles Clippers in the five-team trade that brought Peyton Watson to Cleveland.

Mario Hezonja and Diop are the other new faces.

Atkinson has spent the week sorting out individual roles, too. He explained why Jaylon Tyson calls him about his role and said the Cavaliers will use Craig Porter Jr. better than they ever have.

Diop is working back from an injury setback and has not played for Cleveland since signing.

"He's fitting great culturally, obviously coming back from a setback, injury setback, but I love his spirit," Atkinson said. "And he's a guy I can speak French with. That's maybe the most important thing. I can practice my French, and he can laugh at all the errors I make, but that's a fun part of having him around."

Cleveland drafted the Senegalese center 39th overall in 2022 and left him overseas. He spent the past three seasons with Baskonia in Spain.

Last season, Diop played in 47 games with 28 starts across Spain's Liga ACB and the EuroLeague. He averaged 3.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 16.4 minutes, according to News 5 Cleveland, and was part of Baskonia's 2026 Copa del Rey title team.

He signed with Cleveland on Sept. 2. The four-year, $9.26 million deal guarantees $1.36 million for 2026-27, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported.

Diop wears No. 18. He also played on Cleveland's 2023 Summer League championship team.

The Cavaliers tip off at Philadelphia on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. Their home opener is Saturday, Oct. 24, against Brooklyn.