Grizzlies' Xavier Tillman: Delivers defensively in return
Rotowire
Tillman (knee) scored four points (2-6 FG, 0-3 3Pt) and added two rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks across 22 minutes in Friday's 108-94 win over Dallas.
Tillman made his return to action after sitting out the Grizzlies' previous six games while recovering from a left knee injury. Though his season-long shooting struggles continued -- he's now converting at just a 41.4 percent clip from the field through eight appearances -- Tillman was able to offset the poor offensive output by shining on the defensive end. Bismack Biyombo remains the Grizzlies' starting center for now, but Tillman could eventually overtake him for the top spot on the depth chart once the knee injury is further in the rear-view mirror.
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Grizzlies' Xavier Tillman: Set to play Friday
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Tillman (knee) is available for Friday's game versus the Mavericks.
Tillman has been upgraded from questionable to available Friday after missing the previous six games with a left knee injury. Tillman is averaging 9.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals in 25.9 minutes across his first seven appearances this season.
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Grizzlies' Xavier Tillman: Questionable for Friday
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Tillman (knee) is questionable for Friday's game against the Mavericks.
Tillman has missed six straight games due to a left knee injury but has a chance to suit up Friday. Even if the Michigan State product is cleared, he'll presumably handle a reserve role behind Bismack Biyombo, who's drawn 11 straight starts in the Grizzlies' depleted frontcourt.
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Grizzlies' Xavier Tillman: Remains out Wednesday
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Tillman (knee) won't play in Wednesday's game versus the Jazz.
Tillman will miss his sixth straight game while dealing with a left knee injury. Bismack Biyombo should continue to start in Tillman's absence. While the Grizzlies are treating Tillman as week-to-week, his next chance to suit up is Friday's matchup in Dallas.
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Grizzlies' Xavier Tillman: Return not imminent
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The Grizzlies announced Monday that Tillman is considered week-to-week in connection with his recovery from a left knee injury.
Tillman missed four straight games with the injury, then returned to action for a Nov. 14 loss to the Lakers, only to miss the subsequent two contests due to the issue. With Tillman seemingly having yet to fully move past the knee injury, the Grizzlies will give him at least one week off before re-evaluating him. Bismack Biyombo has stepped in as the Grizzlies' starting center in Tillman's stead and is averaging 8.7 points, 9.6 boards, 2.1 assists and 1.1 blocks in 27.7 minutes per contests in seven games since moving up to the top unit.
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Grizzlies' Xavier Tillman: Sitting out Saturday
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Tillman won't play in Saturday's game versus the Spurs due to left knee injury recovery.
Tillman returned to action Tuesday after missing the previous four contests with a knee injury. It doesn't appear that the 24-year-old big man has aggravated his injury, but the Grizzlies are playing it cautiously on the first night of the team's back-to-back Saturday. Bismack Biyombo and Kenneth Lofton will likely receive increased minutes in Tillman's absence.
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Grizzlies' Xavier Tillman: Offers efficient scoring in return
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Tillman (knee) played 22 minutes in Tuesday's 134-107 loss to the Lakers, finishing with 15 points (6-7 FG, 3-3 3Pt), two rebounds, two assists and one steal.
After Steven Adams (knee) was ruled out for the season just days before the Oct. 25 opener, Tillman served as the Grizzlies' starting center for five of the team's first six games before missing four straight contests with left knee soreness. While Tillman got the green light to return to action Tuesday, he ended up coming off the bench, but he still split the playing time at center fairly evenly with starter Bismack Biyombo (23 minutes). The Grizzlies haven't outlined their plans for the center spot moving forward, but Tillman would represent a higher-ceiling fantasy option than Biyombo if he ends up getting the majority of the minutes at the position. Biyombo is probably the superior per-minute producer in terms of field-goal percentage, rebounds and blocks, but Tillman doesn't lag far behind him in those categories and offers more upside in the other categories.
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Grizzlies' Xavier Tillman: Available Tuesday
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Tillman (knee) is available for Tuesday's game against the Lakers.
This will be Tillman's first game back since Nov. 3, but there's no word of any restrictions. Bismack Biyombo has fared well in recent matchups, so Tillman will come off the bench in Tuesday's contest.
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Grizzlies' Xavier Tillman: Questionable for Tuesday
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Tillman (knee) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Lakers.
Tillman hasn't taken the court since Nov. 3 while tending to a knee injury. Bismack Biyombo would be in line for another start at center if Tillman is unable to go in LA.
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Grizzlies' Xavier Tillman: Downgraded to out
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Tillman (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Clippers.
As expected, Tillman has been downgraded from doubtful to out and will miss a fourth straight game due to a left knee injury. Bismack Biyombo will continue to step in as the Grizzlies' starting center and could end up holding on to a spot on the top unit even when Tillman is ready to play again.
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Grizzlies' Xavier Tillman: Unlikely to go Sunday
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Tillman (knee) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Clippers.
Tillman has missed his team's last three contests while tending to a left knee injury, and he appears on track to miss a fourth. Bismack Biyombo and Kenneth Lofton should continue to see an uptick in opportunities at center assuming Tillman is ultimately confirmed as out for Sunday's matchup.
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Grizzlies' Xavier Tillman: Still out Friday
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Tillman (knee) is out for Friday's game against the Jazz.
Tillman is still recovering from a left knee injury and will miss a third straight game. Bismack Biyombo should continue starting at center for the time being.
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Grizzlies' Xavier Tillman: Downgraded to out
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Tillman (knee) won't play in Wednesday's game versus the Heat.
Tillman will miss his second straight game Wednesday while dealing with left knee soreness. Bismack Biyombo will likely draw another start in his absence. Tillman's next chance to suit up is Friday's matchup with Utah.
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Grizzlies' Xavier Tillman: Questionable Wednesday
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Memphis announced Tuesday that Tillman (knee) is regarded as day-to-day, Drew Hill of The Daily Memphian reports.
Tillman is dealing with left knee soreness. He was a late scratch ahead of Sunday's win over Portland, and his next opportunity to take the court is Wednesday versus Miami. His official status for that contest should surface when Memphis releases its next injury report sometime Tuesday afternoon.
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Grizzlies' Xavier Tillman: Back in starting lineup
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Tillman is starting Sunday against the Trail Blazers.
Tillman came off the bench Friday against Portland, but he'll reclaim a starting role Sunday while David Roddy operates as a reserve. Tillman has averaged 8.8 points and 7.6 rebounds in 27.0 minutes per game over five starts to begin the season.
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Grizzlies' Xavier Tillman: Solid effort against Nuggets
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Tillman logged 13 points (5-9 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-4 FT), eight rebounds, two assists, two blocks and three steals in 34 minutes during Friday's 108-104 loss to Denver.
Matched up against Nikola Jokic, Tillman held his own and delivered some impressive defensive stats, although he also committed five turnovers and five fouls. The 24-year-old will continue to see big minutes at center with Steven Adams (knee), Brandon Clarke (Achilles) and Santi Aldama (ankle) all sidelined, although the latter should be back on the court quickly. Even once Aldama is back in the frontcourt rotation, Tillman figures to remain the starter in the middle for the Grizzlies, although he may not keep seeing over 30 minutes a night.
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Grizzlies' Xavier Tillman: Dominant against New Orleans
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Tillman finished with 17 points (7-16 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds, four assists, one block and three steals across 34 minutes during Wednesday's 111-104 loss to New Orleans.
Tillman had some struggles with efficiency Wednesday, but he still had a high shot volume and managed to open the season with a double-double while also leading the team in steals. The 24-year-old averaged 7.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in 19.3 minutes per game last year but should have plenty of opportunities to contribute during the 2023-24 campaign since Steven Adams (knee) has been ruled out for the season.
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Grizzlies' Xavier Tillman: Starting Friday
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Tillman will start Friday's preseason game against the Bucks.
Steven Adams (undisclosed) is getting another night off, so Tillman will get a look in the first unit this time around at the expense of Santi Aldama. Tillman will need a big performance if he wants to win the backup center job over Aldama.
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Grizzlies' Xavier Tillman: Won't start against Hawks
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Tillman is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Hawks.
Tillman got the nod in the preseason opener, but he will make way for Steven Adams in this one. Tillman notched six points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block across 19 minutes against the Bucks on Tuesday.
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Grizzlies' Xavier Tillman: Sticking in Memphis
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The Grizzlies exercised Tillman's $1.93 million team option for 2023-24 on Monday.
With Steven Adams (knee) and Brandon Clarke (Achilles) sidelined, Tillman saw an expanded role at the end of the 2022-23 campaign and finished with career highs in points (7.0), rebounds (5.0), assists (1.6) and steals (1.0) per game. The 24-year-old started 12 of Memphis' 18 playoff games, averaging 5.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 18.9 minutes. Even if Adams and Clarke are back to full strength next season, Tillman should still carve out a solid reserve role.
