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Sam Merrill Sam Merrill hits five triples, scores 15 points
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 10:44 AM
Sam Merrill accounted for 15 points (5-of-8 FGs), three rebounds, two assists, one steal and five three-pointers in Sunday's loss to the Pistons.
Analysis: Jarrett Allen's absence on Sunday led to Merrill returning to the starting lineup after coming off the bench in his previous two appearances. The Cavaliers' guard did what was expected, offering solid three-point value while also tallying a few rebounds and assists. With Jaylon Tyson (6/7/3/1/2 with one three-pointer) ahead of Merrill in the pecking order, the sharpshooter's fantasy value is limited when the Cavaliers are whole. |
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Evan Mobley Evan Mobley scores 15 points, blocks four shots
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 10:44 AM
Evan Mobley tallied 15 points (5-of-9 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), four rebounds, five assists, one steal, four blocks and two three-pointers in Sunday's loss to the Pistons.
Analysis: Much to the delight of fantasy managers who have him rostered, Mobley continues to rack up the blocked shots. With his four on Sunday, the Cavaliers' forward/center has tallied 15 over his last four appearances. The height of Mobley's fantasy ceiling is partly determined by Jarrett Allen's availability, and he did not play on Sunday due to illness. While he has not reached his lofty ADP (19), Mobley has been a fourth-round player in eight-cat formats over the past week. |
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Donovan Mitchell Donovan Mitchell scores game-high 30 points
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 10:43 AM
Donovan Mitchell accumulated 30 points (10-of-22 FGs, 7-of-9 FTs), six rebounds, three assists, three steals and three three-pointers in Sunday's loss to the Pistons.
Analysis: Mitchell has scored at least 30 points in 20 of the 34 games he's played this season, including each of the last three. The only thing missing from the Cavaliers' guard's stat line on Sunday was a blocked shot, but fantasy managers aren't going to lose any sleep over that. Cleveland plays three games in Week 12, starting with the Pacers on Tuesday. |
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Sam Merrill Garland, Mitchell, Merrill, Tyson, Mobley to start
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 7:31 AM
Cleveland Cavaliers
Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Sam Merrill, Jaylon Tyson and Evan Mobley will start Sunday's game against the Pistons.
Analysis: The Cavaliers won't have Jarrett Allen for Sunday's game, as he has been ruled out due to illness. As a result, Merrill is in the starting lineup, with Tyson and Mobley shifting down a position. |
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Sam Merrill Sam Merrill (ankle) available Sunday vs. Detroit
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 7:19 AM
Danny Cunningham
Sam Merrill (ankle) is available for Sunday's game against the Pistons.
Analysis: Merrill is back after sitting out Friday's win over the Nuggets. With the Cavaliers being down Jarrett Allen and Dean Wade, Merrill's return should not negatively affect De'Andre Hunter's playing time. |
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Dean Wade Dean Wade (knee) downgraded to out Sunday
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 7:16 AM
Danny Cunningham
Dean Wade (knee) is out for Sunday's game against the Pistons.
Analysis: The Cavaliers will be without two rotation frontcourt players, as Wade and Jarrett Allen (illness) are out. De'Andre Hunter and Nae'Qwan Tomlin will have added opportunities to contribute, with one likely moving into the starting five. |
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Jarrett Allen Jarrett Allen (illness) out Sunday vs. Detroit
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 7:11 AM
Danny Cunningham
Jarrett Allen (illness) is out for Sunday's game against the Pistons.
Analysis: Allen was initially questionable for Sunday's game, and his absence opens up a spot in the Cavaliers' starting lineup. With Dean Wade also out, the Cavaliers may turn to De'Andre Hunter or Nae'Qwan Tomlin to fill the resulting void. Also, Evan Mobley shifts from power forward to center. |
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Larry Nance Larry Nance Jr. (calf) out Sunday vs. Detroit
Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 10:44 AM
NBA Injury Report
Larry Nance Jr. (calf) is out for Sunday's game against the Pistons.
Analysis: Nance has been out since November 28, and the Cavaliers have not provided a timeline for his return. The veteran forward's continued absence does not affect fantasy basketball. |
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Dean Wade Dean Wade (knee) questionable Sunday vs. Detroit
Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 10:42 AM
NBA Injury Report
Dean Wade (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Pistons.
Analysis: Wade did not play in Friday's win over the Nuggets, which freed up a spot in the starting lineup. Jaylon Tyson stepped in and has played well enough to merit rostering, even if he's coming off the bench. |
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Sam Merrill Sam Merrill (ankle) questionable Sunday vs. DET
Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 10:37 AM
NBA Injury Report
Sam Merrill (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Pistons.
Analysis: Merrill was not available for Friday's win over the Nuggets, with his minutes being absorbed by De'Andre Hunter. If Merrill cannot play on Sunday, rotation minutes would be available to Nae'Qwan Tomlin, but he would not be worth streaming in most leagues. |
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Jarrett Allen Jarrett Allen (illness) questionable Sunday
Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 10:30 AM
NBA Injury Report
Jarrett Allen (illness) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Pistons.
Analysis: Allen has not missed a game since December 14, as he was returning from multiple finger injuries. With Sam Merrill and Dean Wade both questionable for Sunday's game, the Cavaliers may once again look to Jaylon Tyson to step in as a starter. The second-year wing's production has been good enough to merit being rostered in some 12-team formats. |
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Donovan Mitchell Mitchell outduels Murray as Cavs outlast Nuggets
Fri, Jan 2, 2026, 4:13 PM
Donovan Mitchell went off for a team-high 33 points (14-of-24 FGs, 0-of-2 FTs), six rebounds, five assists and one steal over 35 minutes on Friday, powering the Cavaliers to a 113-108 win over the Nuggets.
Analysis: Mitchell, who topped 30 points for the 19th time this season, locked horns with his Nuggets counterpart Jamal Murray as the pair traded punches down the home stretch with the Cavaliers erasing a late deficit to emerge with a narrow victory. The 29-year-old scoring machine, who has graded out as a top-10 fantasy contributor this season, has put together back-to-back strong performances and will look to keep the momentum going on Sunday when the Cavaliers square off against the upstart Pistons. |
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Darius Garland Garland contributes 18 points in win over Nuggets
Fri, Jan 2, 2026, 4:12 PM
Darius Garland tallied 18 points (6-of-12 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), two rebounds and eight assists over 32 minutes in Friday's win over the Nuggets.
Analysis: Garland dished out eight assists and played a key role late, scoring 13 of his 18 points in the second half, as Cleveland overcame a late deficit to rally for an impressive home victory against the injury-depleted Nuggets. The 25-year-old facilitator has had a down year overall, especially from a scoring standpoint, averaging just 17 points through 20 games after averaging 20.6 per-game last year. |
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De'Andre Hunter De'Andre Hunter (illness) available Friday vs. DEN
Fri, Jan 2, 2026, 12:47 PM
Ethan Sands
De'Andre Hunter (illness) is available for Friday's game against the Nuggets.
Analysis: Hunter is good to go after initially being probable for Friday's game. With Sam Merrill and Dean Wade available, there will be additional minutes available. However, Hunter has not been productive enough to merit rostering in most fantasy leagues. |
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Dean Wade Dean Wade (knee) out Friday vs. Nuggets
Fri, Jan 2, 2026, 12:44 PM
Dean Wade (knee) is out for Friday's game against the Nuggets.
Analysis: Wade popped up on the injury report Friday afternoon as questionable with a knee injury. Jaylon Tyson will likely move into the starting lineup with Wade ruled out. De'Andre Hunter could see extra minutes off the bench as well. |
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Sam Merrill Sam Merrill (ankle) downgraded to out Friday
Fri, Jan 2, 2026, 12:43 PM
Danny Cunningham
Sam Merrill (ankle) is out for Friday's game against the Nuggets.
Analysis: Merrill will not play on Friday, freeing up rotation minutes for some of Cleveland's reserves. Jaylon Tyson, who was already worth rostering in some 12-team formats, should see his playing time increase with Merrill unavailable. |
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Dean Wade Dean Wade (knee) questionable Friday vs. Denver
Fri, Jan 2, 2026, 7:32 AM
NBA Injury Report
Dean Wade (knee) is questionable to play against the Nuggets on Friday.
Analysis: Wade is a late addition to the injury report, and he has been starting recently for Cleveland. Jaylon Tyson is the likely replacement in the starting lineup of Wade is unavailable to suit up, and De'Andre Hunter should see extra minutes as well. |
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De'Andre Hunter De'Andre Hunter (illness) probable vs. Denver
Fri, Jan 2, 2026, 7:29 AM
NBA Injury Report
De'Andre Hunter (illness) is probable to play against the Nuggets on Friday.
Analysis: Hunter was initially questionable after missing Wednesday's game, but he is now expected to suit up. Craig Porter Jr. and Nae'Qwan Tomlin took on extra minutes with Hunter out, but they'll lose out on minutes with Hunter back in the lineup. |
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Sam Merrill Sam Merrill (ankle) questionable Friday vs. Denver
Thu, Jan 1, 2026, 11:20 AM
NBA Injury Report
Sam Merrill (ankle) is questionable for Friday's game against the Nuggets.
Analysis: Merrill was ultimately cleared to play in Wednesday's win over the Suns, logging 23 minutes. Look for him to take on a similar workload if he can play against the Nuggets. |
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De'Andre Hunter De'Andre Hunter (illness) questionable Friday
Thu, Jan 1, 2026, 11:17 AM
NBA Injury Report
De'Andre Hunter (illness) is questionable for Friday's game against the Nuggets.
Analysis: Hunter did not play in Wednesday's win over the Suns, resulting in more minutes for Craig Porter Jr. and Nae'Qwan Tomlin. While neither player will be worth streaming, they should pick up additional minutes if Hunter remains out on Friday. |
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