Cavs still without timetable as Sam Merrill works through wrist injury

Sam Merrill was playing some of the best basketball of his career when the Cavaliers needed him most. Injuries had thinned the rotation, and Merrill’s shooting gave Cleveland a real jolt to open the season.

Then came November 17 against Milwaukee, when a wrist injury knocked him out of the lineup. He hasn’t returned, and the Cavs still don’t have clarity on when he might.

Kenny Atkinson told reporters Wednesday that Merrill isn’t practicing yet and admitted there isn’t much new to report.

“I don’t know what to tell you guys. He’s frustrated. We’re frustrated,” Atkinson said. “It’s just a slow healing process. It hasn’t gotten worse and the swelling is decreasing, but he still can’t shoot or catch with his right hand.”

The good news is that Merrill has been able to keep conditioning. Atkinson said the guard has stayed active with sprinting and movement work, even if basketball activities remain off-limits.

“You guys know Sam. He’s doing everything else,” Atkinson said.

The Cavs have clearly missed him. Merrill was averaging 13.9 points per game and shooting 44 percent from three before the injury. Since he went out, Cleveland has dipped to 33 percent as a team — 28th in the league during that span.

The hope is that once the swelling fully subsides, Merrill can ramp up quickly. For now, the Cavs wait.