Xavier Tillman News, Rumors, Updates - Boston Celtics

Headed to bench Tillman will come off the bench for Tuesday's game against the Knicks, Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.

Impact Neemias Queta is back and starting, so Tillman will return to a reserve role after getting a spot-start during Sunday's win in Cleveland. Tillman has not been a consistent part of the rotation this season, so it wouldn't be shocking to see him pick up a DNP-CD with Queta active.

DECEMBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Season-high three steals in start Tillman posted nine points (4-9 FG, 1-5 3Pt), six rebounds, one block and three steals over 30 minutes during Sunday's 117-115 win over the Cavaliers.

Impact In his first appearance since the Nov. 18 win over the Nets, Tillman filled in for the injured Neemias Queta (ankle) with a serviceable effort in the starting lineup. Tillman hadn't even reached the 20-minute threshold in any of his first eight games of the year, so it's hard to imagine he'll hang onto much fantasy relevance once Queta is healthy. The three steals were a season high for Tillman on Sunday, though.

DECEMBER 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Back in rotation Tuesday Tillman ended with one assist in five minutes during Tuesday's 113-99 win over the Nets.

Impact Tillman was back in the rotation, albeit in a very limited role. Although the center depth in Boston is far from glamorous, Tillman has been unable to carve out a consistent spot in the lineup. Through eight appearances, he has averaged just 2.5 points and 2.1 rebounds in 8.2 minutes per game.

NOVEMBER 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Celtics' Xavier Tillman found real leadership in an unexpected place Boston Celtics big man Xavier Tillman attended a Playbook Initiative workshop, in partnership with New Balance and led by Project 351.

NOVEMBER 15, 2025 • HARDWOODHOUDINI.COM

Philadelphia faces conference foe Boston

Boston travels to Philadelphia for an Eastern Conference matchup Tuesday

NOVEMBER 10, 2025 • Associated Press

Off injury report for Sunday Tillman (personal) is off the Celtics' injury report for Sunday's game against the Magic.

Impact Tillman missed Friday's loss to the Magic due to personal reasons, though he'll return to action Sunday. Over seven regular-season appearances thus far, the 26-year-old has averaged 2.9 points and 2.4 rebounds in 8.7 minutes per contest.

NOVEMBER 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Orlando and Boston meet for conference matchup

The Magic will play host to conference foe Boston

NOVEMBER 8, 2025 • Associated Press

Out for personal reasons Tillman (personal) Justin Turpin of WEEI.com Friday against Orlando.

Impact Tillman has appeared in seven of Boston's nine games to open the season for an average of 8.7 minutes per contest, so his absence won't carry many fantasy implications.

NOVEMBER 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Muted role continues Tillman provided zero points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt), two rebounds, one assist and one steal in six minutes during Monday's 105-103 loss to Utah.

Impact Tillman played fewer than 10 minutes for the fifth time in the past six games, continuing his slow start to the season. At this stage, it appears as though both Neemias Queta and Luka Garza are ahead of him in the rotation, while Chris Boucher is also spending some time at the five. Barring injuries to multiple players, Tillman is likely to serve as nothing more than a depth piece, at least for the foreseeable future.

NOVEMBER 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Meet Xavier Tillman, Celtics center whose age, size make him a fan favorite | Sporting News Tillman is an intriguing part of the Boston rotation this season.

OCTOBER 24, 2025 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Plays 16 minutes in opener Tillman closed Wednesday's 117-116 loss to the 76ers with four points (2-8 FG, 0-3 3Pt), seven rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals in 16 minutes.

Impact Tillman's 16 minutes of run could be used as Exhibit A to demonstrate the talent difference between last year's top-notch Celtics squad and this year's team. Tillman averaged only seven minutes per contest last season, though he was battling knee issues. Neemias Queta started at center for Boston, but was quickly pulled by Coach Mazzulla after Queta allowed Philly to grab an offensive rebound. Tillman then provided some much needed rebounding, but struggled offensively. Expect Boston to experiment with different frontcourt lineups throughout the season.

OCTOBER 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

WATCH: Former Spartan Xavier Tillman hits game winner to lead Celtics past Raptors See the game winner from Xavier Tillman, leading the Boston Celtics past the Toronto Raptors in a closely contested preseason matchup

OCTOBER 16, 2025 • USATODAY.COM

Can Xavier Tillman's preseason game-winner be springboard for Celtics big man? “I don’t care that it’s a preseason game. The fact is, we won, and he was a big part of that, and he delivered, and we’re going to need him...

OCTOBER 16, 2025 • BOSTONHERALD.COM

Xavier Tillman's buzzer-beater, plus Hugo Gonzalez's impressive play | SOUND OFF

OCTOBER 16, 2025 • YOUTUBE

Boston Celtics beat Toronto Raptors 110-108 behind Xavier Tillman's clutch bucket Boston Celtics big man Xavier Tillman Sr. provided some clutch minutes down the stretch to propel the Green Team past the Toronto Raptors.

OCTOBER 16, 2025 • USATODAY.COM

Xavier Tillman's buzzer beater lifts the Boston Celtics to a 110-108 win over the Toronto Raptors

OCTOBER 16, 2025 • YOUTUBE

Jayson Tatum's Injury Rehab Draws 'Impressive' Reaction From Celtics Teammate Celtics' big man Xavier Tillman gushed over the work Jayson Tatum is putting in as he works his way back from a torn Achilles tendon.

OCTOBER 10, 2025 • NESN.COM

Xavier Tillman making early case for spot in Boston's rotation | Sporting News After playing in a career low 33 games last season, Xavier Tillman is poised for a bigger role with Boston heading into the 2025-26 season.

OCTOBER 9, 2025 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

A healthy Xavier Tillman hopes to help fill void in Celtics frontcourt - The Boston Globe Tillman had promising moments after being acquired from the Grizzlies in the 2023-24 season, but he battled persistent left knee troubles la...

OCTOBER 2, 2025 • BOSTONGLOBE.COM

Fully healthy of preseason Tillman (knee) enters training camp fully healthy and ready to play.

Impact Tillman dealt with left knee issues throughout the 2024-25 campaign, resulting in playing in only 33 regular-season games. If he's able to stay healthy this season, there's a chance he could be in line for more minutes off the bench, sharing time with Sam Hauser, Chris Boucher, Luka Garza and Neemias Queta in the frontcourt.

OCTOBER 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

What will the Boston Celtics do at center? Boston has only Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman Sr. as experienced Celtics frontcourt players, with centers Luka Garza and Amari Williams t...

JULY 6, 2025 • USATODAY.COM

Plays eight minutes in loss Tillman closed Friday's 119-81 loss to the Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with two points (1-4 FG, 0-2 3Pt) and three rebounds in eight minutes.

Impact Tillman made his first appearance of the postseason Friday with the Celtics getting run out of the building. Playing in his second season with Boston, Tillman was used very sparingly, as he appeared in 33 regular-season contests with 1.0 points and 1.3 rebounds in 7.0 minutes. Tillman is owed $2.5 million in 2025-26 for the final year of his deal.

MAY 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Sam Hauser had backup Boston Celtics big man Xavier Tillman Sr. on his podcast The two Celtics reserves shed some light on what life is like in Boston when you are coming off the bench for the defending NBA champions.

APRIL 5, 2025 • USATODAY.COM

Back to bench role Tillman will come off the bench during Wednesday's game against the Heat, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.

Impact After getting the starting nod for Monday's win against the Grizzlies, Tillman will return to the second unit for Wednesday's matchup against Miami. The 25-year-old big man hasn't made much of a fantasy impact this season while playing for the Celtics, averaging 7.2 minutes per game.

APRIL 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Why Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla started Xavier Tillman Sr. in his first game back in Memphis Xavier Tillman Sr. hadn't played since March 6. But Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla started him on Monday night in Memphis. Here's why.

APRIL 1, 2025 • COMMERCIALAPPEAL.COM

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Philadelphia faces conference foe Boston

Orlando and Boston meet for conference matchup