Cavs Start Preseason Without Sam Merrill
As the Cleveland Cavaliers kicked off their preseason against the Chicago Bulls at Rocket Arena on Tuesday night, fans were caught off guard by the absence of starting guard candidate Sam Merrill. The team took a hit with a narrow 118-117 loss, but the focus quickly shifted to Merrill’s injury status during the postgame press conference.
Injury Update from Coach Atkinson
Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson shed light on the situation, revealing that Merrill is dealing with some soreness in his abductor muscle. “Yeah, he’s got a little soreness in his abductor, but he wanted to play,” Atkinson explained. “I just said no, it’s not worth it. We’ll see. Like, I’m just gonna be super, super cautious with him in the preseason.”
Atkinson’s cautious approach underscores the Cavaliers’ commitment to prioritizing player health, especially during the preseason when teams are still fine-tuning their rosters. The decision to hold Merrill out reflects a broader strategy aimed at avoiding any potential aggravation of injuries that could linger into the regular season.
Looking Ahead
As the Cavaliers navigate the rest of the preseason, all eyes will be on Merrill’s recovery. His absence is notable, particularly as the team seeks to establish a strong foundation ahead of the upcoming NBA season. Fans and analysts alike will be eager to see how the Cavaliers adapt without him, and how quickly he can return to the court once he is fully healed.
