In the state of today’s NBA, depth and role players are important as they have ever been. In the case of the Cleveland Cavaliers, the return of one specific player over the last few days has made all the difference.
Cleveland opened the year 15-14, dropping consecutive games to a struggling Chicago Bulls team a week ago. They scored wins over the Hornets and Pelicans on back-to-back nights, to finally start to get the ship right.
There is one common theme from these two games. Sam Merrill was on the floor. The former #60 overall pick, who signed a big extension over the summer, has been integral when healthy.
Cleveland has posted a record of 11-3 when the Utah State product has been on the court this season. When he’s been out, they have gone just 6-11 overall. There is a real correlation between his minutes, and victories.
Sam Merrill is the Cavs Secret Weapon
Winning games is a hard thing to do in the NBA, as seen by the 2025-26 Cavaliers. Going from losing 18 games all season, to then being 15-14 the year after shows just how difficult things can get.
With Sam Merrill finally back on the floor, there is the gravity that is right there with him. The 6’3 guard spaces things brilliantly, and draws a lot of defensive attention when he sets screens and pops to the three-point line.
Merrill had one of the best games of his entire career just last night, finishing with 22 points, siv rebounds, and seven assists. He hit six of his ten three-point attempts, getting right back to the form he had before his hand injury that caused 14 missed games in a row.
Over the summer, it was considered very surprising that Cleveland paid Merrill as they did. They were only able to choose between he and Ty Jerome, who had an incredible season as a primary reserve for the Cavs.
The decision was made to pay their shooter, rather than the playmaker. Jerome is still yet to suit up for Memphis this season. Meanwhile, there’s Merrill who the team is winning nearly 80% of their games with.
Merrill Giving Cavs Much Needed Momentum Heading Into Christmas
Darius Garland has finally started to emerge from his year-long slump to put up major numbers for the Cavs. Donovan Mitchell is scoring the ball at a rate he has not done in his entire career.
Jaylon Tyson has played strong basketball whether starting or coming off the bench. Adding Sam Merrill into the starting lineup in the game with the Pelicans made all the difference. Shots started falling as soon as the game started, proving Kenny Atkinson wise to make the choice to amend the first five.
It’s also clear that De’Andre Hunter is looking more comfortable in a reserve role. The team is certainly missing Evan Mobley at the moment, but winning games in his absence as they have been doing with an offense like this is critical.
Merrill’s 22-point, seven-assist night against New Orleans helped give the team just the lift it needed. And headed into the Christmas Day matchup with the Knicks, there is finally optimism within the Cavaliers again.
@espn #NBA #Christmas commercials hit different 🥶 (via @NBA) #stephcurry #lebron #kevindurant
The Knicks will be no easy task, but Cleveland is as ready as they will ever be. The 12:00 Xmas Day game at MSG will be must-see TV.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post The Cleveland Cavaliers Have Their Secret Weapon Back appeared first on Heavy Sports.