The Resiliency of Xavier Tillman

The 2022-2023 season was a success for Xavier Tillman’s role with the Memphis Grizzlies as the team heads into the offseason. Coming into this season, there was pressure on “X” to show more as his role on the team had decreased from his rookie year through his sophomore year. After playing in the most games of his career (61) and averaging career-highs in points (7.0), rebounds (5.0), field goal percentage (61.4%), and steals (1.0) per game, Tillman has earned his place on this team and in the NBA in general as the Grizzlies have a decision to make on his $1.9M option this summer.

Coming off a less-than-stellar sophomore season in which all his numbers went down from his solid rookie year campaign, Tillman played an integral part in the Grizzlies playoff rotation due to matchups last season. Due to his resiliency of being ready to play at any given moment, there was promise for Tillman as he prepared for his 3rd season. Then, the 2022 Summer League happened. Xavier Tillman was outplayed and passed in the rotation by fellow frontcourt member Santi Aldama as the Grizzlies were looking for who could fill the void left by Jaren Jackson Jr.’s foot injury to start the 2022-2023 season.

As Jaren Jackson Jr. went on to miss the first 14 games of the season, Xavier Tillman only played in 8 of those games averaging 11 minutes. Due to the inconsistent playing time, he never found his rhythm as he played behind Steven Adams, Santi Aldama, and Brandon Clarke. Even rookies Jake LaRavia and David Roddy saw more court time and minutes than Tillman to start the regular season as LaRavia averaged 18 minutes per game playing in 11 of those 14 games. Meanwhile, David Roddy averaged 17 minutes per game while playing all 14 games Jaren was out. So it is no coincidence that Tillman tallied up DNPs (Did Not Play) in 10 of the next 11 games when Jackson Jr. returned to the lineup.

During this time frame, Tillman requested that the coaching staff allow him to play with the Grizzlies G -League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle, to keep his flow of playing. It paid off as he averaged 17.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 52.3% from the field in five games playing with the Memphis Hustle. This paved the way for what was to come for Tillman to become a part of the Memphis Grizzlies 10-man rotation as Brandon Clarke missed some time in early January due to a hip injury.

Tillman took advantage of the opportunity and provided a spark off the bench in helping the Grizzlies win a franchise-tying record, 11 games in a row. Upon Brandon Clarke’s return, Tillman notched his final three DNPs for the season before Steven Adams was ruled out with a knee injury. As a result, after starting only one game and playing in 28 of the Grizzlies’ first 46 games, Tillman finished the regular season as the starting center for 29 of his final 34 games, only missing two games due to “load management” at the end of the regular season.

As for the playoffs, Xavier Tillman continued to play an integral part in the rotation as Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke remained out with their injuries. He averaged 8.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game on 53.3% shooting and 30.5 minutes per game in 6 games against the Los Angeles Lakers, which included a career-high 22 points and 13 rebounds in Game 2 of that series. Also, he was tasked with guarding LeBron James for a good portion of that series to mixed results but was very effective in the previously mentioned Game 2.

Despite the inconsistencies with his minutes, Xavier Tillman has remained the ultimate utility guy for the Grizzlies throughout his 3-year career. For each of his three years with the team, he has either made a big play or had a big game at the most crucial time of the season. Whether it was his big corner three against the Golden State Warriors in overtime of the Play-in game in 2021, his 13 points and seven rebounds performance in Game 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round last season, or his Game 2 performance against the Lakers referenced above, Xavier Tillman has earned the name “Mr. Next Man Up.”

As for his future, expect the Grizzlies to exercise his $1.9M option for next season and for him to be a part of the 10-man rotation as Brandon Clarke is slated to miss most if not all of next season with a torn Achilles. Of course, a trade could alter things, but Xavier Tillman is in good standing with the Memphis Grizzlies for the immediate future.