MEMPHIS — Joe Mazzulla is turning to an unexpected option in the Celtics starting five for Monday’s game against the Grizzlies giving Xavier Tillman the start at power forward in place of an injured Jaylen Brown. Tillman has been dealing with a knee injury for the past several weeks and has been out of the Celtics rotation for much of the year. His last appearance in a game came on March 6, scoring five points in seven minutes against the Philadelphia 76ers. He’s seen action in just three games total in the past two months.
Tillman played the first three and a half seasons of his career in Memphis before the Celtics acquired him at the trade deadline last season in exchange for Lamar Stevens and two second-round picks.
The 26-year-old big man started one other game back in November, but only appeared for six minutes in the 108-104 win over the Brooklyn Nets back in November 8. He’s largely disappeared from Boston’s rotation this year thanks to breakout years from other reserve bigs Neemias Queta and Luke Kornet. However, Tillman’s defensive versatility was valuable for Boston last postseason in their run to the NBA Finals as he saw some minutes with Porzingis injured.
Tillman is averaging just 1.0 points and 1.3 rebounds per game this year through 29 appearances. He was introduced last in Boston’s starting five Monday night and received a warm ovation from the Memphis crowd in his first appearance at FedEx Forum since getting dealt to Boston.
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