The Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons each had a backup player inactive for Game 2. The same scenario could unfold in Game 3, which is set for 3 p.m. Saturday, May 8, at Rocket Arena.
Cavs shooting guard Sam Merrill (left hamstring strain) and Pistons wing Kevin Huerter (left abductor strain) were shut down when Cleveland lost 107-97 on May 7 in Detroit, falling behind 2-0 in the best-of-seven second-round NBA playoff series.
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Here are the official injury reports for Game 3:
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons, Game 2 photos
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) warms up with assistant coach Jarrett Jack ahead of Game 2 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons, Game 2 photos
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) warms up with assistant coach Jarrett Jack ahead of Game 2 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons, Game 2 photos
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) walks off the court after warmup ahead of Game 2 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons, Game 2 photos
Detroit Pistons fans cheer on during warm up ahead of Game 2 of second round of NBA playoffs between Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons, Game 2 photos
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) warms up ahead of Game 2 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Cavs vs Pistons Game 3 injury report. Cleveland Cavaliers list Sam Merrill as questionable for Game 3 vs. Detroit
The Cavs listed Merrill as questionable to play in Game 3.
Merrill’s hamstring issue limited him to 6 minutes, 41 seconds of playing time off the bench in Game 1, a 111-101 loss to the Pistons. He did not attempt a shot. He had one assist and a turnover.
The Cavs initially listed Merrill as questionable to play in Game 2 before ruling him out shortly before tipoff.
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Cavs All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell appeared to twist his right ankle while driving with roughly 11 minutes left in the second quarter of Game 2 at Little Caesars Arena.
However, Merrill is the only player the Cavs listed on their injury report for Game 3 against the Pistons.
Sam Merrill stats during Cavaliers playoffs
Merrill played in all seven games of the Cavs’ 4-3 first-round series win over the Toronto Raptors. He averaged 7.6 points on 43.2% shooting from the field (37.9% on 3-pointers), 1.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 20.2 minutes.
Nov 5, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) throws a pass in the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
Pistons vs Cavs Game 3 injury report. Detroit lists Kevin Huerter as doubtful for Game 3 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Pistons listed Huerter as doubtful to play in Game 3.
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Huerter was inactive for Games 1 and 2 against the Cavs. He also missed the final three games of the Pistons’ 4-3 first-round series win over the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic.
The Pistons initially listed Huerter as doubtful to play in Game 2 and later ruled him out shortly before tipoff against the Cavs.
Kevin Huerter stats with Detroit Pistons
In February, the Pistons acquired Huerter in a trade with the Chicago Bulls.
In 25 regular-season games with Detroit, Huerter averaged 8.6 points on 44.3% shooting from the field (29.4% on 3-pointers), 2.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 20.5 minutes.
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In four playoff games this year, Huerter is averaging 1.5 points on 18.2% shooting from the field (28.6% on 3s), 1.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 15.3 minutes.
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavs vs Pistons Game 3 injury updates. Sam Merrill questionable