The Cleveland Cavaliers will be without one of their most dangerous weapons when they face the Detroit Pistons in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals Thursday night. Guard Sam Merrill has been officially ruled out due to a left hamstring strain, a significant setback for a Cavs team already trailing 1-0 in the series.

Merrill tested the leg during pregame warmups, but after returning to the locker room, the team announced he would not suit up. The sharpshooter exited Game 1 on Tuesday after just 6 minutes and 41 seconds of action. He underwent an MRI on Wednesday and did not practice, raising concerns about his availability moving forward.

This injury comes at a critical time. The Pistons dared Cleveland to beat them from beyond the arc in Game 1, and without their best shooter, the Cavaliers struggled mightily. Cleveland committed 20 turnovers, which Detroit converted into 31 points en route to a 111-101 victory. Even with Donovan Mitchell and James Harden combining for 45 points, the duo also accounted for 10 of those turnovers, highlighting the ripple effect of Merrill's absence on the team's spacing and rhythm.

Merrill's ability to stretch the floor has been a key part of Cleveland's offensive identity, and his absence forces the Cavaliers to adjust on the fly. As the series shifts, all eyes will be on how the team responds—and whether they can find their shooting touch without their top marksman on the floor.