Inside The Celtics

Xavier Tillman on Game-Winning Shot vs. Kings: 'Knew it was Good'

Bobby Krivitsky

Mar 17, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Boston Celtics forward Xavier Tillman (26).
Mar 17, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Boston Celtics forward Xavier Tillman (26). / Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
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Joe Mazzulla trusted his bench on Friday, sticking with them for the final 9:24 of the Celtics' clash with the Kings.

Even as they went 0/10 in crunch time, he didn't flinch. And when Sacramento's star guard De'Aaron Fox banked in a three to put the visitors ahead by one with 27 seconds left, erasing a 14-point deficit, Boston's bench opted against taking a timeout. A decision he explained after the hosts' 101-100 victory.

Mazzulla's choice proved beneficial as Sam Hauser couldn't finish through contact but stayed with the play, knocking the ball out of Keegan Murray's hands and into Xavier Tillman Sr.'s, leading to the latter launching a two-footed floater from the middle of the paint for the game-winner.

"It felt good," said a smiling Tillman after his heroics. "As soon as it left my hand, I knew it was good."

The former Michigan State Spartan also shared this was just his second game-winning basket: "I got one in college; that might be it," he conveyed, citing his put-back slam to beat Illinois.

The six-foot-eight, 245-pound forward, who the Celtics acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies a day before the trade deadline, also appreciated the opportunity for the second unit to challenge itself vs. an opponent that's two games from avoiding the play-in tournament, one from having home-court advantage for as long as it's in it, and shares the same record as the ninth-seeded Lakers, putting the Kings in danger of being in a win-or-go-home situation in the postseason.

"It was pretty cool," voiced Tillman. "Especially for us to really battle, with them coming back, and have that mental fortitude to not give into it, and to stay solid mentality, and everybody keep their composure."

He's also grateful for the support he and the rest of Boston's bench received from the starters, who stayed engaged after their night ended early.

"It was sweet," expressed Tillman. "It was sweet. Especially, we're not necessarily playing for anything anymore since we're already solidified, so for them to still be excited about that, that was pretty cool."

Further Reading

Celtics' Assistant Likely Candidate for Hornets' Head-Coaching Vacancy

Jaylen Brown Shares What's Fueling Career Year: 'Nothing in This World Gonna Break My Spirit'

Jaylen Brown's Evolution Crucial to Celtics' Desire to Win with More Than Talent

Celtics Embracing Challenge to Go Beyond Most Talented

Jayson Tatum Opens Up About Sacrificing in Celtics' Title Pursuit: 'It's a Process'

Brad Stevens Discusses Celtics' Plan for Final Roster Spot

Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans

Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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