Sam Merrill Notches Playoff Career High In Game 2 Against Pacers

May 7, 2025, 1:20 PM | Updated: 1:22 pm

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 25: Sam Merrill #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers gestures during the first quarter of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on March 25, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

(Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

BY TANNER TRIPP

KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY- The Cleveland Cavaliers are taking on the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the NBA Playoffs, but were heavily undermanned in game two with Darius Garland, De’Andre Hunter, and Evan Mobley all out with injuries.

Because of the short staff, former Utah State guard Sam Merrill got the opportunity to play extended minutes in the playoffs, and he took advantage, scoring a career high against the Pacers.

SAM THE MAN. #LetEmKnow https://t.co/cLdDxZ2d2M pic.twitter.com/jHvzG0MNub

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 7, 2025

Merrill finished with a final stat line of 26 minutes off the bench, 14 points, four rebounds, and two steals. 12 of his points came from beyond the arc as he shot 4-9 from three-point range. Sam eclipsed his previous playoff personal best of nine points, which he had done three previous times, all as a member of the Cavaliers.

Sam Merrill’s Big First Quarter

Sam’s first points of the game came at the 5:40 mark of the first quarter. Tyrese Haliburton followed him around a screen from Max Strus, but Merrill pump faked at the point to shed the defense and knocked down the straightaway three-pointer.

Sam Merrill from downtown 🎯

Cavs leading early on TNT! pic.twitter.com/jaSyTzsG9y

— NBA (@NBA) May 6, 2025

Next, he knocked down a catch-and-shoot three-pointer from a few feet beyond the arc off a pass from Donovan Mitchell. This bucket extended the early Cleveland lead to 12.

SAM MERRILL LADIES AND GENTS. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/rkTYitkEvN

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 6, 2025

Merrill’s third three-pointer of the first quarter came with just 15 seconds remaining in the frame. Javonte Green sent a swing pass his way in the far corner, where he knocked down the shot and pushed the lead to 17.

Sam Merrill : 14 points (5-10 shooting & 4-9 from 3), 4 rebounds & 2 steals in 26 minutes off the bench pic.twitter.com/6QN0e77bjL

— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) May 7, 2025

Other Buckets For Sam Merrill

Merrill only had two other baskets for the rest of the game, a three-pointer and a tip-in put-back, both in the last five minutes of the third quarter.

Sam Merrill wasn’t the only one who had a big game as Donovan Mitchell scored 48, his fourth most in a playoff game, but unfortunately for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who led by as many as 20 points, they fell victim to an incredible comeback by the Indiana Pacers, capped off by a game-winning three-pointer from Tyrese Haliburton.

Merrill was the last one to touch the ball, receiving the inbound pass with 1.1 seconds down by two, but he was unable to get a shot off from beyond half court before the final buzzer sounded.

final.@betwayusa | #LetEmKnow

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 7, 2025

Sam Merrill In The NBA

Following a Mountain West Conference Championship run in his senior year at Utah State, Sam Merrill entered the NBA Draft, where he was a second-round pick, going 60th overall to the New Orleans Pelicans. This only started his journey around the league in the early stages of his career, as he would never suit up for New Orleans.

Sam was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in a multi-team deal where he would begin his professional career in the G League. He would be called up throughout the season, making 30 appearances for the Bucks in the regular season and eight in the playoffs, playing a role in an NBA Championship run and finishing his rookie year with a ring.

RELATED: Former Utah State Aggies Carving Out Roles With NBA’s Best

The following year, Merrill was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, where he only played in six games before getting waived halfway through the 2022-2023 season.

That offseason, Sam spent a few brief months with the Sacramento Kings before being waived prior to the regular season. Still seeking a home, Merrill became a part of the Cleveland Charge, the Cavaliers’ G League affiliate, and following a 10-day contract in March 2023, he signed a multi-year deal with the Cavaliers, finally finding the system that allowed him to shine.

Merrill is now in his second year with the Cavaliers and has become a key part of their bench rotation, providing an offensive spark when the starters are off the floor.