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BOSTON — Xavier Tillman Sr. hit some big shots for the Boston Celtics, yet he averaged less than 15 minutes per game over the course of his three years with the Green Team. His best work for Boston arguably came off the court, and Celtics star Jayson Tatum emphasized that during an interview with NBA broadcaster Taylor Rooks.
During a quick hit that aired on Prime Video just a few minutes before the start of the Celtics' 112-106 loss to the New York Knicks on Thursday night, Tatum discussed the mental obstacles that came with trying to come back from a devastating Achilles rupture. He feared that he'd never be the same after his injury and shared that trepidation with Tillman Sr.
"When I got assigned to the G League, I was on the bench," Tatum recalled. "I was sitting next to Xavier Tillman. And I remember I took a deep breath and I'm like, 'X(avier), I've been afraid to have this conversation with you for a while. Do I still got it?'"
Tillman didn't hesitate to reassure his star teammate.
"X looked at me like, 'What?,'" Tatum said in a shocked tone to imitate Tillman's reaction. "'If your name was John Doe and I didn't know you I would have never known you got injured. Bro, you are ready.'"
Tatum was still on the fence about returning during the 2025-26 campaign, but it sounds like Tillman's words of encouragement helped.
"It was a relief," Tatum said. "I was afraid for somebody to tell me you're a shell of yourself."
Since suiting up for the Celtics again on March 6, Tatum has showed that "X" was right along. The six-time All-Star is averaging almost 22 points per game and has posted four double-doubles in his last five outings.
Although Tillman was moved at the 2026 trade deadline to the Charlotte Hornets, it's clear the C's loved having him in Boston.
"Very appreciative of how (Tillman) has handled the trajectory of his role here," Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said during a November practice. "He gives back to the locker room and he also gives to us, so really grateful of that."
Due to rest, Tatum will sit on Friday night when the 54-26 Celtics host the 26-54 New Orleans Pelicans at TD Garden. However, when the 2026 NBA Playoffs tip off later this month, Boston will look to him again as his confidence continues to grow.
Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on:
Blue Wire: https://tiny.ee/CdKp
iTunes: https://tiny.ee/RK47
YouTube: https://tiny.ee/cOW3
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Jayson Tatum reveals how chat with Xavier Tillman Sr. encouraged Celtics return
Continue reading...
During a quick hit that aired on Prime Video just a few minutes before the start of the Celtics' 112-106 loss to the New York Knicks on Thursday night, Tatum discussed the mental obstacles that came with trying to come back from a devastating Achilles rupture. He feared that he'd never be the same after his injury and shared that trepidation with Tillman Sr.
"When I got assigned to the G League, I was on the bench," Tatum recalled. "I was sitting next to Xavier Tillman. And I remember I took a deep breath and I'm like, 'X(avier), I've been afraid to have this conversation with you for a while. Do I still got it?'"
Tillman didn't hesitate to reassure his star teammate.
"X looked at me like, 'What?,'" Tatum said in a shocked tone to imitate Tillman's reaction. "'If your name was John Doe and I didn't know you I would have never known you got injured. Bro, you are ready.'"
Tatum was still on the fence about returning during the 2025-26 campaign, but it sounds like Tillman's words of encouragement helped.
"It was a relief," Tatum said. "I was afraid for somebody to tell me you're a shell of yourself."
Since suiting up for the Celtics again on March 6, Tatum has showed that "X" was right along. The six-time All-Star is averaging almost 22 points per game and has posted four double-doubles in his last five outings.
Although Tillman was moved at the 2026 trade deadline to the Charlotte Hornets, it's clear the C's loved having him in Boston.
"Very appreciative of how (Tillman) has handled the trajectory of his role here," Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said during a November practice. "He gives back to the locker room and he also gives to us, so really grateful of that."
Due to rest, Tatum will sit on Friday night when the 54-26 Celtics host the 26-54 New Orleans Pelicans at TD Garden. However, when the 2026 NBA Playoffs tip off later this month, Boston will look to him again as his confidence continues to grow.
Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on:
Blue Wire: https://tiny.ee/CdKp
iTunes: https://tiny.ee/RK47
YouTube: https://tiny.ee/cOW3
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Jayson Tatum reveals how chat with Xavier Tillman Sr. encouraged Celtics return
Continue reading...
