The Celtics' starting lineup for Monday's game against the Grizzlies included a surprise.
Jaylen Brown was out injured, but Al Horford didn't start in his place. Instead it was Xavier Tillman Sr., who was playing his first game back in Memphis since the Grizzlies traded him at last year's trade deadline.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said he wanted to "validate the roster" by starting Tillman, who had not played since March 6.
“He can still impact winning," Mazzulla said. "I just appreciate who he is as a person and I think you’ve got to validate the roster at times. I know that he can still help us, and there may be an opportunity where he does. I was grateful that we were able to give him that opportunity to be able to do that."
Tillman played eight minutes, and though he was 0-for-5 from the field, Mazzulla praised his workrate and the fact that he forced Grizzlies center Zach Edey into two early fouls.
The Grizzlies drafted Tillman in the second round of the 2020 draft, and he'd played his entire NBA career with Memphis before he was traded last season. The Celtics lost to the Grizzlies earlier this season in Boston, but this was his first game back.
“It’s crazy because I was more so focused on seeing my old teammates and checking on them," Tillman said. "The fans, when I got here and even the staff members and security people, when I walked by, they showed me so much love. It’s pretty amazing.”
It was also the first time in years that Tillman had gotten to play against Jaren Jackson Jr., after the two played together at Michigan State and then with the Grizzlies.
“I haven’t played against him since I was like 16," he said." It was crazy.”
Tillman played sparingly during the Celtics' NBA championship run in 2024, and he's been in and out of the rotation this season. Monday was his second start of the season.
He's remembered among Grizzlies fans for his role down the stretch of the 2022-23 season, when he became a starter during the playoffs after Steven Adams' injury.
"I was happy for him," Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane said. "It's been an up and down path for him over there, and to be able to play at a place that I know meant a lot to him, it's special for him for sure."
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.
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