Cavaliers' Sam Merrill Sets Franchise Record with Historic Shooting Night

Merrill's 9-for-10 3-point performance is the best single-game 3-point shooting display in Cavaliers history.

Feb. 12, 2026 at 1:07am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a game against the Washington Wizards, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill put on an incredible shooting display, going 11-for-12 from the field and 9-for-10 from 3-point range to score a career-high 32 points in just 25 minutes of play. Merrill's performance marked the first time in Cavaliers franchise history that a player has scored 30+ points with 0 turnovers and a field goal percentage over 90%.

Why it matters

Merrill's historic shooting night showcases the Cavaliers' offensive firepower and depth, as he was able to step up as a secondary scoring option alongside stars like newly acquired James Harden. Merrill's ability to get hot from beyond the arc could provide a valuable boost to the Cavaliers' playoff aspirations.

The details

Merrill started the game on fire, going a perfect 9-for-9 from 3-point range in the first half. He continued his torrid shooting in the second half, finishing the game 11-for-12 overall and 9-for-10 from deep. Merrill's only miss came late in the game, but by that point the outcome was already decided as the Cavaliers cruised to a comfortable victory.

  • Merrill went 9-for-9 from 3-point range in the first half.
  • Merrill finished the game 11-for-12 overall and 9-for-10 from 3-point range.

The players

Sam Merrill

A sharpshooter for the Cleveland Cavaliers who set a new franchise record with his historic 3-point shooting performance.

James Harden

The newly acquired star player for the Cleveland Cavaliers who had 11 assists in the game to help facilitate Merrill's hot shooting.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Cavaliers will look to build on Merrill's historic performance as they continue their push for a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.

The takeaway

Merrill's record-setting night showcases the depth and offensive firepower of the Cavaliers, who have assembled a talented roster capable of getting contributions from multiple sources. Merrill's ability to get hot from 3-point range could provide a valuable boost to the team's playoff aspirations.