Cavs notes: Sam Merrill's return to lineup is big deal

CLEVELAND – Even though he hasn't played since Nov. 17, getting shooting guard Sam Merrill back in the lineup is a big deal for the Cavaliers. The 6-foot-4, 205-pounder had missed the previous 14 games with a sprained right hand. Merrill's season has been limited to 12 games. He's averaging 13.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists and shot .466 from the field, .444 from the 3-point line and .938 from the foul line. The 29-year-old Utah State product got injured after getting tangled up with Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo in mid-November. Coach Kenny Atkinson said the Cavs have missed Merrill's long-range shooting the most. With him out of the lineup, Cleveland has dipped to 28th in the NBA in 3-point accuracy. "He gives us more room to drive and get to the rim," he said. "It's a huge thing." Merrill's right hand is still sore, Atkinson said. "He's a trooper," the coach said. "We need him." Merrill's shooting isn't the only thing the Cavs have missed. "His (defensive) execution doesn't really break down," Atkinson said. "He's a plus defender. He's solid. He doesn't gamble. He's physical. He does it on both ends." Making his move Atkinson said point guard Darius Garland's 35-point effort vs. the Bulls last Friday was eye-opening, but it was the way he was moving around the court that really impressed him. "His evolution is to be expected," the coach said. "He had no offseason, no training camp. He was out four months. We knew there would be a runway. "I'm pinching myself. It was not just the 35 points. Give the kid credit. He's a soldier. It was great to see a DG game." Atkinson said when he's healthy, Garland is an "advantage creator" with his speed. New faces In Cleveland's previous game against Chicago, Atkinson said it had six players in his rotation that wasn't in it last season. Draft status It's amazing that Duke had five players drafted off its team from last year. Three of them were on the court Monday. Cooper Flagg was the No. 1 pick of Dallas, while Kon Knueppel was No. 4 by Charlotte, Khaman Maluach No. 10 by Houston, Sion James No. 33 by Charlotte and Tyrese Proctor No. 49 by the Cavs. Bob Finnan can be reached at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.