Celtics' Xavier Tillman: Questionable to play Thursday
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Tillman is questionable for Thursday's game against the Bulls due to a non-COVID illness.
A decision on Tillman's status will be made closer to Thursday's 7:30 p.m. ET tipoff. That said, his potential absence isn't expected to move the needle too much in terms of fantasy purposes. With Al Horford (rest) ready to go Thursday, Tillman would be in line to have a backup role -- at best -- while battling with Neemias Queta and Luke Kornet for minutes at center.
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Celtics' Xavier Tillman: Muted role continues
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Tillman totaled two rebounds and one steal over eight minutes during Wednesday's 130-120 victory over the Pistons.
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, who is 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.
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Celtics' Xavier Tillman: Assigned to G League
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Boston assigned Tillman to the G League's Maine Celtics on Monday.
Tillman was assigned to the G League along with Kristaps Porzingis (foot), with both players set to practice with Maine on Monday before rejoining the parent club. Tillman played at least 15 minutes in each of Boston's first four games of the season, but he's appeared in just five of the last 10 contests while logging nine or fewer minutes on each occasion.
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Celtics' Xavier Tillman: Not starting Sunday
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Tillman won't start Sunday's game against the Bucks, Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.
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.
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Celtics' Xavier Tillman: No production in spot start Friday
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Tillman played six minutes and logged zero points (0-3 FG, 0-3 3Pt) in Friday's 108-104 overtime win over Brooklyn.
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 saw playing time only 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.
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Celtics' Xavier Tillman: Starting vs. Brooklyn
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Tillman is in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Nets, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
The Celtics are switching things up in the frontcourt and Tillman will get the nod alongside Al Horford. This will be the former's first start of the campaign. He's averaging 2.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game this season.
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Celtics' Xavier Tillman: Sees 15 minutes of run in win
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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.
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.
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Celtics' Xavier Tillman: Good to go for camp
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President of basketball operations Brad Stevens said Tuesday that Tillman had a knee scope during the offseason, but he will be a full go for training camp, Jared Weiss of The Athletic reports.
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.
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Celtics' Xavier Tillman: Plays 11 minutes in Game 3 win
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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.
It was Tillman, not Luke Kornet, who picked up the slack at center due to Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) being 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 managing 38-year-old Al Horford's workload. Tillman and his teammates will look to finish the Finals in Dallas on Friday.
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Celtics' Xavier Tillman: Available for Game 2
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Tillman (personal) is available for Thursday's Game 2 against the Pacers, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
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.
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Celtics' Xavier Tillman: Questionable for Game 2
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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.
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.
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Celtics' Xavier Tillman: Won't be available for Game 1
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Tillman (personal) has been ruled out for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pacers on Tuesday.
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.
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Celtics' Xavier Tillman: Questionable for Game 1
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Tillman is questionable for Tuesday's Game 1 against the Pacers due to personal reasons, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.
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.
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Celtics' Xavier Tillman: Moves back to bench role
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Tillman is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Knicks.
As expected, Tillman returns to the bench with Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring) in the starting unit. Tillman has averaged 4.6 points and 3.5 rebounds across 15.9 minutes per game when playing off the bench this season.
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Celtics' Xavier Tillman: Questionable for Thursday
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Tillman is questionable for Thursday's game against the Knicks due to right knee tendon irritation, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
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.
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Celtics' Xavier Tillman: Starting vs. Milwaukee
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Tillman is in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Bucks, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
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, though it'll be only his second one in a Boston uniform.
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Celtics' Xavier Tillman: Good to go Thursday
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Tillman (knee) is available for Thursday's game versus the Hawks, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.
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.
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Celtics' Xavier Tillman: Questionable for Thursday
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Tillman (knee) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Hawks, John Karalis of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.
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.
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Celtics' Xavier Tillman: Ruled out for Monday
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Tillman (knee) has been ruled out for Monday's game against Atlanta, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.
Tillman appeared in the last seven games but will be unavailable Monday due to his knee injury. He'll have a few days to rest before Thursday's rematch against Atlanta, but it's unclear whether he'll be ready to return by then.
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Celtics' Xavier Tillman: Questionable for Monday
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Tillman is questionable Monday against Atlanta due to left knee swelling, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
Left knee issues have plagued Tillman throughout this season, so a resurfacing of the injury designation is notable. He logged just 11 minutes in Saturday's win over Chicago after averaging 18.5 minutes across six prior appearances, so his status for Monday's game is murky.
