How Xavier Tillman Sr. earned his shining moment in Memphis Grizzlies' Game 2 win over Lakers

Damichael Cole, Memphis Commercial Appeal

April 20, 2023 at 8:05 AM·3 min read

Memphis Grizzlies forward Xavier Tillman (2) reacts during the final minute during game two of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers at FedExForum.

Xavier Tillman Sr. could only shake his head.

The Memphis Grizzlies center was reminded about the journey he'd been on in the past 10 months. How he went to Las Vegas to play in the Summer League as third-year player, then started G League games for the Memphis Hustle and was in and out of the Grizzlies rotation. How he returned to the starting lineup, but only after injuries to Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke catapulted him back into it.

All of that led to a career night when the Grizzlies needed him most. In the playoffs. Against Anthony Davis and the L.A. Lakers.

Tillman scored 22 points and added 13 rebounds in the Grizzlies' 103-93 Game 2 win at FedExForum on Wednesday night, evening the best-of-seven series at 1-1.

"You couldn't write this, bro," Tillman said. "It's humbling. It lets me know that no matter what I'm going through, it always pasts."

Tillman went through struggles in the 128-112 loss in Game 1. He scored two points and had three rebounds in 22 minutes. Even though he only finished that game with two fouls, both came in the first quarter and hurt Tillman's chances of finding a rhythm.

He avoided foul trouble in Game 2.

"Not picking up those fouls just allows me to be more aggressive in the second, third and fourth quarters versus in the first game, picking up those two (fouls), I'm sore=t of tentative not to pick up another one in the first half," Tillman said. "Once I was able to finish the first quarter without picking up those two fouls, I felt good throughout the rest of the game,"

TAKEAWAYS: Without Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies steal Game 2 vs L.A. Lakers in NBA playoffs

GIANNOTTO: How Memphis Grizzlies' unlikely heroes outdueled Lakers' stars in Game 2 win | Giannotto

DILLON BROOKS CHALLENGES LEBRON JAMES: Grizzlies' Dillon Brooks blasts LeBron James after Game 2 win: 'I don't care, he's old.'

Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins let Tillman know during film sessions leading up to Game 2 that he needed to be more assertive. Tillman took those conversations to heart, and he wanted to see for himself how he could improve. He re-watched Game 1 at least four times.

Plus, Ja Morant being added to the list of players out with injury meant someone else needed to step up alongside top scorers Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane.

"The first game was like a feel-out," Tillman said. "Just seeing the same spots that I can be more aggressive at, I just kind of let it flow and after that, I was able to be aggressive today in those spots that I saw."

Even though he's listed at 6-foot-8, Tillman was one of the main reasons the Grizzlies held the 6-10 Davis to 4-for-14 shooting in Game 2. Tillman used his 7-2 wingspan to bother Davis on jumpers, and the Grizzlies did a good job as a team of crowding the 6-10 Lakers center.

Tillman's biggest impact, even more so than his efficient 10-for-13 scoring night, may have been his rebounding. The Lakers finished Game 1 with a 45-34 rebounding edge, but the Grizzlies won the battle 49-47 in Game 2.

Without Adams and Clarke, the Grizzlies have struggled against top-level rebounding teams. If Tillman continues to rebound well, it could be a difference-maker against the Lakers entering Game 3 on Saturday (9 p.m., ESPN) — and beyond.

"I think it’s a true sign of a winner," Jenkins said. "It’s a true sign of a pro, and that’s why we love (Tillman), a guy who always stays ready. He wants to impact winning in whatever his role is going to be."

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Xavier Tillman Sr. earned his star moment in Grizzlies' win over Lakers

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