The Cleveland Cavaliers are facing a pivotal Game 3 in their Eastern Conference semifinals series against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday afternoon, but they might have to do it without a key contributor from their bench. Sam Merrill has been listed as questionable on the Cavaliers' injury report due to a left hamstring strain, putting his availability in doubt for the must-win matchup.

Merrill, who already missed Game 2 on Thursday night, is a crucial floor-spacer for Cleveland's second unit. His absence would be felt as the Cavaliers look to avoid falling into an 0-3 hole in the series. The team currently trails 0-2 after dropping both games on the road, including a hard-fought Game 2 loss despite a standout performance from Donovan Mitchell.

If Merrill is sidelined again, the Cavaliers have options to step up. Max Strus, Dennis Schroder, and Keon Ellis are all candidates to see increased minutes and roles, providing depth and versatility off the bench. Fortunately for Cleveland, the rest of the roster is healthy and ready to go, giving them a full complement of star power and support players to lean on.

Game 3 is set to tip off at 3:00 p.m. ET from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, airing on NBC and Peacock. For the Cavaliers, this is more than just a game—it's a chance to flip the momentum and prove they can compete with the Pistons on their home court. Fans will be watching closely to see if Merrill can suit up and help lead the charge.