Ty Jerome

Absent from the Cavaliers' initial injury report for Game 5, Merrill has been added due to a strained neck. With Donovan Mitchell (ankle) a game-time decision, Cleveland could be down two rotation players with their season on the line. They would require more production from Darius Garland, Max Strus and Ty Jerome to keep their season alive.

Jerome is not in the Cavaliers' starting lineup in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Pacers on Friday.

Due to a sprained left big toe, Garland has not appeared in a game since Game 2 of Cleveland's first-round series against the Heat. While Sam Merrill started Game 1, he was moved to the bench for Game 2, with Ty Jerome taking over as the starter alongside Donovan Mitchell. The Cavaliers were also without Evan Mobley and De'Andre Hunter for Game 2, which impacted the lineup overall.

With Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and De'Andre Hunter all ruled out, the Cavaliers are down three of their top six players for Game 2. It's a tough blow, especially considering Cleveland already dropped Game 1 of the series at home. The Cavs figure to rely heavily on Jerome and Strus to provide some scoring to support what will undoubtedly be a massive workload for Mitchell.

Jerome is in the Cavaliers' starting lineup for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Pacers on Tuesday, Serena Winters of FanDuel Sports Network Ohio reports.