Overview
- Merill was diagnosed with a right hip contusion after exiting the third quarter of Monday’s win over the Pistons and will not play Wednesday in Boston.
- Head coach Kenny Atkinson said the injury appeared to come from a collision with Evan Mobley and looked like a painful hip pointer.
- Reporters observed Merrill walking with a noticeable limp postgame, and the team has not set a return timetable as evaluations continue.
- Merrill had stepped into a larger role to start 2025–26, averaging 17.3 points with 18 made threes across four games while Darius Garland recovers.
- Cleveland also lists Garland (toe) and Max Strus (foot) as out, with Jaylon Tyson and other reserves expected by reporters to see expanded minutes if Merrill misses time.