Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill was upgraded to cleared on the injury report Wednesday evening after more than a week listed as day-to-day. That puts him in line for Thursday's season opener at Philadelphia.
What happened
The Cavaliers changed Sam Merrill's status to cleared on the injury report at 5:33 PM ET Wednesday, Oct. 21. He had been listed as day-to-day. The 30-year-old guard first showed up as day-to-day on Tuesday, Oct. 13, with a right elbow issue. He stayed day-to-day on the report earlier Wednesday before the upgrade later that day. The report gave no further detail and no comment with the change. A return date was not announced, and the report did not say whether there are any limits on his minutes.
What it means for the Cavaliers
Cleveland opens the 2026-27 season at the 76ers on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN. Both teams are 0-0. Last season Merrill played 52 games and averaged 12.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 26.5 minutes. In games he missed, the rotation leaned on Donovan Mitchell (33.5 minutes, 27.9 points), James Harden (33.8, 20.5) and Darius Garland (30.5, 18.0). Jaylon Tyson (26.9 minutes, 13.2 points), De'Andre Hunter (26.2, 14.0) and Keon Ellis (24.8, 8.3) are the wing minutes he competes with. There are no regular-season games yet to compare the team's record with and without him.
What to watch
Watch the next injury report before tip-off in Philadelphia. Merrill is cleared, but how much he plays has not been announced. Three other Cavaliers are on the report. Jarrett Allen is day-to-day with a right knee issue. Khalifa Diop is out with a left knee issue. Nae'Qwan Tomlin is out with a back issue. Allen's status could change how Cleveland lines up on opening night.
Is Sam Merrill playing at the 76ers on Thursday, Oct. 22?
He was cleared on the injury report Wednesday, Oct. 21, so he is available for the opener at Philadelphia at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN. How many minutes he will play has not been announced.
When will Sam Merrill be back?
He is already cleared. He had been day-to-day since Oct. 13 with a right elbow issue and was upgraded on Oct. 21. No minutes limit has been announced.