Sam Merrill Injury Status Update for March 31st, 2026
Sam Merrill of the Cavaliers has been ruled out and will not play today. Sam was previously listed as Available before being officially ruled out.
This will be the 27th game Sam has missed this season.
Sam Merrill Season Averages
Sam's absence leaves a significant hole in the Cavaliers rotation. Across 49 games this season, he's averaging 12.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game while playing 26.4 minutes per night.
| MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | FGA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26.4 | 12.9 | 2.6 | 2.4 | 9.4 |
Cavaliers Performance With & Without Sam Merrill
The numbers tell a clear story about Sam's value to the Cavaliers. With Sam in the lineup this season, the team is 33-15. Without him, they've gone 13-13. The Cavaliers's net rating is 6.9 points worse per 100 possessions when Sam plays, which is a substantial gap. Interestingly, the offense has actually been slightly more efficient without him (114.1 vs 120.4), though that can be a small-sample anomaly.
| With | Without | Diff | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Record | 33-15 | 13-13 | — |
| Off Rating | 120.4 | 114.1 | -6.3 |
| Def Rating | 113.7 | 114.4 | +0.7 |
| Net Rating | 6.7 | -0.3 | -6.9 |
| PPG | 121.7 | 115.1 | -6.7 |
Which Teammates Benefit Without Sam Merrill?
When Sam sits, other Cavaliers players see increased opportunities. Based on this season's data, Nae'Qwan Tomlin and Max Strus stand to benefit the most from his absence.
When Sam has been out this season, Nae'Qwan Tomlin has averaged 5.6 extra minutes.
MPG: +5.6
Sam Merrill Betting Trends
For bettors, Sam's absence has historically had a measurable impact on the Cavaliers's lines and related player props. Here are the most notable trends when Sam has been out this season:
💰 Betting Trends (without Merrill) Jaylon Tyson PRA OVER: 18-4 (+13.4u, 20.8 / -113 avg. line) Jarrett Allen PRA UNDER: 10-2 (+7.8u, 24.7 / -115 avg. line)
Full Injury Report — Sam Merrill's Game
Here's the complete injury report for tonight's game. Both teams have key players dealing with various ailments heading into this one:
Cavaliers @ Lakers - March 31, 2026 Cleveland Cavaliers: Jaylon Tyson (Out) Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James (Questionable) Marcus Smart (Out)
We'll continue to monitor Sam's status and provide updates as they become available. Check back for the latest injury news and lineup updates for the Cavaliers.