DETROIT — Cavaliers backup shooting guard Sam Merrill suffered a left hamstring injury during the first quarter of Game 1 against the Detroit Pistons.
Early in the second quarter, the Cavs announced Merrill was questionable to return on Tuesday, May 5, in the Eastern Conference semifinal opener at Little Caesars Arena.
Merrill played 6 minutes, 41 seconds off the bench in the first quarter and did not attempt a shot. He had one assist and a turnover.
Merrill, who has also been dealing with a right hand/finger injury during the postseason, checked into the game with 6:41 remaining in the opening quarter. He finished the quarter but did not play to begin the second quarter.
Merrill played in all seven games of the Cavs’ 4-3 first-round series win over the Toronto Raptors. He averaged 7.6 points on 43.2% shooting from the field (37.9% on 3-pointers), 1.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 20.2 minutes.
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at [email protected]. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
