Xavier Tillman News, Rumors, Updates - Boston Celtics

Muted role continues Tillman totaled two rebounds and one steal over eight minutes during Wednesday's 130-120 victory over the Pistons.

Impact Tillman suited up for just the second time in the past four games, failing to score in eight minutes. It's been a rough start to the season for Tillman, typically utilized as the third or even fourth-string center. To this point, he is averaging a mere 1.2 points and 2.1 rebounds in 9.4 minutes per game.

DECEMBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Assigned to G League Boston assigned Tillman to the G League's Maine Celtics for practice on Monday.

Impact Tillman was assigned to the G League along with Kristaps Porzingis (foot), but both players will be recalled to Boston at the conclusion of the practice.

NOVEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Sunday Tillman won't start Sunday's game against the Bucks, Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.

Impact With Jaylen Brown (hip) returning to action, Tillman will revert to his usual backup role. He's averaged 12.3 minutes per game over seven appearances as a reserve this season.

NOVEMBER 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

No stats in spot start Friday Tillman played six minutes and logged zero points (0-3 FG, 0-3 3Pt) in Friday's 108-104 overtime win over Brooklyn.

Impact Tillman got his first start of the 2024-25 regular season Friday alongside Al Horford as Luke Kornet was sidelined due to a left hamstring injury. Tillman only saw playing time in the first quarter, during which he missed all three of his three-point attempts before being subbed out by Sam Hauser. Despite the spot start, Tillman's six minutes were the least amount on the Celtics as Neemias Queta played 27 minutes off the bench. Tillman isn't expected to produce much fantasy value on a talented Boston squad.

NOVEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Starting vs. Brooklyn Tillman is in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Nets, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.

Impact The Celtics are switching things up in the frontcourt and Tillman will get the nod alongside Al Horford. This will be his first start of the campaign. He's averaging 2.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game this season.

NOVEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sees 15 minutes of run in win Tillman delivered eight points (3-4 FG, 2-3 3Pt), one rebound and one assist across 15 minutes in Thursday's 122-102 win at Washington.

Impact Expect Tillman, Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta to receive significant minutes when the Celtics face struggling opponents such as the Wizards. Kristaps Porzingis is out until at least early December and 38-year-old Al Horford needs to pace himself to be ready for the playoffs. That said, none of the three Boston big men reserves will ever produce gaudy stats. The Celtics are very deep and don't need reserve centers to produce on the offensive end.

OCTOBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Celtics tie, but don't break, NBA record with 29 3-pointers. Then they miss 13 3s in a row

The Boston Celtics tied the NBA record by making 29 3-pointers in their victory over the New York Knicks

OCTOBER 23, 2024 • Associated Press

Good to go for camp Brad Stevens said Tillman had a knee scope during the offseason, but he will be a full go for training camp, Jared Weiss reports.

Impact Stevens did not specify which knee it was, but the good news is that the issue is apparently behind Tillman. With Kristaps Porzingis (foot) sidelined to begin the season, Tillman will have an opportunity to earn some rotation minutes early on. In 20 regular season games in 2023-24, Tillman averaged 4.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 13.7 minutes.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Intends to reunite with Boston Tillman agreed on a two-year deal to return with the Celtics on Tuesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

Impact Tillman stepped up in Kristaps Porzingis' (foot) absence throughout the 2023-24 NBA Playoffs, and he will return to the club as they aim to repeat their success form last year. The 25-year-old was acquired by the Celtics via trade Feb. 7. Tillman averaged 4.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists across 13.7 minutes in 20 regular-season appearances with Boston.

JULY 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Michigan State's Xavier Tillman Sr. wins first NBA Championship with Boston Celtics Former Spartan was traded to Boston midway through his fourth NBA season

JUNE 18, 2024 • 247SPORTS.COM

How old is Xavier Tillman? NBA fans in disbelief at Celtics big man's age | Sporting News Canada How old is Tillman? Learn more about his age, path to the NBA and how he got to the Celtics.

JUNE 17, 2024 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Plays 11 minutes in Game 3 win Tillman closed with three points (1-1 FG, 1-1 3Pt), four rebounds and two blocks in 11 minutes during Wednesday's 106-99 win over Dallas in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

Impact It was Tillman, not Luke Kornet, who picked up the slack at center with Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) out. Coach Joe Mazzulla clearly preferred Tillman switching on Mavericks star Luka Doncic on pick-and-rolls and the move paid off. Tillman got multiple stops when forced to guard Doncic. Tillman also hit a clutch corner three during a key second-half Boston scoring run. His four boards and two blocks were just what the Celtics needed while resting 38-year-old Al Horford. Tilman and his teammates will look to finish the Finals Friday in Dallas.

JUNE 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Celtics' Porzingis out of Game 3 of the NBA Finals because of rare tendon injury in lower left leg

Kristaps Porzingis did not play for the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of the NBA Finals because of a rare tendon injury in his lower left leg suffered in the previous game

JUNE 12, 2024 • Associated Press

Former Michigan State Forward Xavier Tillman Sr. One Win Away From NBA Finals The Boston Celtics are up 3-0 against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals and are just a game away from reaching the NBA Fin...

MAY 27, 2024 • SI.COM

Available for Game 2 Tillman (personal) is available for Thursday's Game 2 against the Pacers, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.

Impact The reserve big has seen limited action throughout the playoffs, appearing in just three games -- one against Miami and two against Cleveland. With Kristaps Porzingis (calf) expected to be sidelined until at least Game 4, Al Horford has been seeing extended minutes. It's possible Tillman will be thrown into action in hopes of giving Horford some more rest time.

MAY 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Game 2 Tillman (personal) is questionable for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pacers on Thursday, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.

Impact Tillman missed the Celtics' 133-128 overtime win in Game 1 due to the personal matter. While he could rejoin the Celtics in advance of Thursday's contest, his presence -- or lack thereof -- shouldn't have a major impact on head coach Joe Mazzulla's rotation. Tillman has appeared in just three games all postseason -- all in blowouts -- as Al Horford and Luke Kornet have covered most of the minutes at center while Kristaps Porzingis (calf) has been sidelined for each of the Celtics' last seven contests.

MAY 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Won't be available for Game 1 Tillman (personal) has been ruled out for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pacers on Tuesday.

Impact Tillman will join Kristaps Porzingis (calf) as unavailable, but the former's absence shouldn't impact Boston's rotation, as he's appeared in just three of Boston's first 10 postseason contests. Al Horford and Luke Kornet should continue to handle all meaningful minutes at center in Game 1.

MAY 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Game 1 Tillman is questionable for Tuesday's Game 1 against the Pacers due to personal reasons, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.

Impact Tillman hasn't been a consistent part of the rotation during the playoffs, appearing in just three matchups and averaging 1.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in 8.3 minutes per game. While it's unclear whether he'll be available to begin the Eastern Conference Finals, his status shouldn't significantly impact the rotation.

MAY 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Moves back to bench role Tillman is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Knicks.

Impact As expected, Tillman returns to the bench with Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring) in the starting unit. Tillman averages 4.6 points and 3.5 rebounds across 15.9 minutes per game when playing off the bench this season.

APRIL 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go for Thursday's matchup Tillman (knee) is available for Thursday's game against the Knicks, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.

Impact Tillman was questionable for Thursday's matchup, but he'll be able to suit up once again. He started Tuesday against Milwaukee but will likely retreat to the bench Thursday since Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring) has been cleared to return.

APRIL 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Thursday Tillman is questionable for Thursday's game against the Knicks due to right knee tendon irritation, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.

Impact Tillman is being listed as questionable for the first game of a back-to-back set, along with Al Horford (toe) and Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring), so the Celtics could be very thin up front Thursday night. If all these guys are out, Luke Kornet and Oshae Brissett could be forced into major minutes. Check back for another update on Tillman following Thursday's shootaround.

APRIL 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Starting vs. Milwaukee Tillman is in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Bucks, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.

Impact Tillman will move to the starting lineup Tuesday and anchor the frontcourt in a game where Boston will miss Al Horford (toe) and Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring). Tillman is averaging 7.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game as a starter this season.

APRIL 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go Thursday Tillman (knee) is available for Thursday's game versus the Hawks, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.

Impact Tillman has been upgraded from questionable to available Thursday after missing Boston's previous contest due to left knee inflammation. With Al Horford (toe) out, Tillman could receive increased playing time.

MARCH 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Participates in shootaround Tillman (knee) was active in shootaround ahead of Thursday's game versus the Hawks, Bobby Manning of CelticsBlog reports.

Impact Tillman is officially listed as questionable for Thursday's contest due to left knee inflammation. However, Tillman's participation in shootaround is a good sign of his availability against Atlanta.

MARCH 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Thursday Tillman (knee) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Hawks, John Karalis of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.

Impact Tillman is in danger of missing a second straight game due to a swollen left knee. If he's sidelined again, Luke Kornet and Oshae Brissett would be candidates for a few extra minutes off the bench.

MARCH 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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Celtics tie, but don't break, NBA record with 29 3-pointers. Then they miss 13 3s in a row

Celtics' Porzingis out of Game 3 of the NBA Finals because of rare tendon injury in lower left leg