Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill suffered a left hamstring injury during Game 1 against the Pistons. He is currently questionable to return for the rest of the game.
Key points
Sam Merrill injured his left hamstring in Game 1
Injury occurred during the first quarter against the Pistons
Merrill played 6 minutes and 41 seconds before the injury
He is questionable to return for the game
Merrill had one assist and one turnover before the injury
Cleveland CavaliersDetroit PistonsSam Merrill
Cavaliers G Sam Merrill injured in Game 1 vs Pistons. Will he return?
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.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) walks off the court after warm up before Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
Q&A
What injury did Sam Merrill sustain in Game 1 against the Pistons?
Sam Merrill suffered a left hamstring injury during the first quarter of the game.
How long did Sam Merrill play before getting injured?
Sam Merrill played for 6 minutes and 41 seconds before sustaining his injury.
Is Sam Merrill expected to return to the game after his injury?
Sam Merrill is currently listed as questionable to return in the game.
What was Sam Merrill's performance before the injury in Game 1?
Before the injury, Sam Merrill did not attempt a shot but recorded one assist and one turnover.
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Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) warms up before Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) warms up before Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) warms up before Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
Detroit Pistons hosts Cleveland Cavaliers for Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson speaks at a press conference before Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs between Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff speaks at a press conference before Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs between Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons, Game 1 photos
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) walks off the court after warm up before Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons, Game 1 photos
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) walks off the court after warm up before Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons, Game 1 photos
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) warms up before Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons, Game 1 photos
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) warms up before Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons, Game 1 photos
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) warms up before Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
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Detroit Pistons hosts Cleveland Cavaliers for Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons, Game 1 photos
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson speaks at a press conference before Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs between Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons, Game 1 photos
Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff speaks at a press conference before Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs between Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
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 nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.