Cavs Sharpshooter Dealing With Neck Injury

Sam Merrill is "doubtful" to play in the Cleveland Cavaliers' matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Apr 2, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) passes the ball over Utah Jazz guard Kris Dunn (11) during the fourth quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports / Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Cavaliers can’t afford to lose anyone else to an injury before the playoffs begin. Yet, that’s the reality they face with just three regular-season games left.

Sharpshooter Sam Merrill sustained a neck injury in the first half of Cleveland’s loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. This injury also forced him to sit out the team’s practice on Tuesday afternoon.

The injury report for the Cavs’ matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday has Merrill currently listed as "doubtful" with a neck strain. It appears that he will be forced to miss the game as it continues to bother him.

Apr 2, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) passes the ball over Utah Jazz guard Kris Dunn (11) during the fourth quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports / Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Merrill may not have started the season as a true option off the bench, but he has been a massive spark for the Cavaliers this season. He’s averaging 8.0 points a game while shooting 40 percent from behind the arc on 5.8 attempts a night. Merrill played a key role in Cleveland's 18-2 run at the beginning of the calender year. 

After this run, opposing defenses learned that they needed to keep an eye on Merrill or he would make them pay for it. This has helped create some much-needed floor spacing showing just how important Merrill is even when he doesn't have the ball in his hands and is putting up shots.

All of this comes as Donovan Mitchell continues to manage a knee injury, Dean Wade remains sidelined with a knee injury, and Isaac Okoro just returned from a toe injury. The injury report seems to never stop and it's hurting any sort of consistency.