Atkinson says that Merrill is “day-to-day.”
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been without their best bench shooter for just under a week due to a left ankle injury. According to head coach Kenny Atkinson, he could be returning shortly.
“He’s still day-to-day,” Atkinson said before Sunday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets when asked about Merrill’s status. “He’s still a little sore. But again, I don’t see this as a long-term thing. But he’s just trying to get the ankle right.”
The Cavs’ depth has set them apart at the beginning of the season. The bench hasn’t missed a beat even though they’ve lost Merrill.
“We have great depth,” Atkinson said when asked about the people missing from the lineup on Sunday including Donovan Mitchell who’s out with a rest day. “I’m not sure every team can do this. We’re lucky. We have great depth. It’s been proven so far. And [this is] another opportunity for some different guys to play tonight and maybe guys that don’t play as much.”
Merrill is averaging 6.8 points and 1.7 rebounds per game on .403/.367/1.000 shooting splits in 12 appearances.
Cleveland will be getting Evan Mobley back for Sunday’s game after he missed Friday’s game against the Chicago Bulls with an illness.
“Evan is good,” Atkinson said. “He got a good little workout in [yesterday].”
The Cavaliers will look to become the third team to win their first 15 games on Sunday. The win would tie them with the 1993-94 Houston Rockets and the 1948-49 Washington Capitols for the second-longest streak at the start of the season in NBA history.