Boston Celtics
“I received three youngsters, there’s actually nothing to emphasize about. I received actual life at dwelling, so I am not too nervous about what occurs right here.”
The Celtics closed out their preseason going 3-1 following a Xavier Tillman game-winner Wednesday evening.
With 3.3 seconds left and the sport tied, second-year guard Baylor Schiereman discovered Tillman on the wing off an inbound.
Understanding time was quick, Tillman took one dribble and put up a floater, discovering the underside of the web with 0.8 seconds left.
In his third 12 months as a Celtic, Tillman has primarily been a role-player off the bench, averaging simply 7 minutes per sport final season and 13.7 the 12 months earlier than that.
Nevertheless, even along with his restricted minutes, Tillman hasn’t shied away from the massive moments.
Throughout Boston’s 2024 championship run, Tillman hit an open three from the nook in game 3 of the NBA Finals to increase Boston’s result in 13 within the third quarter and assist shut out that sport.
Then final 12 months in opposition to the Kings, he hit a shot similar to final evening’s, to take the lead with 8 seconds left, which might find yourself being the winner.
When requested by Celtics writer Noa Dalzell about how he stays calm in these moments, Tillman responded that there are greater issues than basketball in his life.
“I received three youngsters, there’s actually nothing to emphasize about. I received actual life at dwelling, so I’m not too nervous about what occurs right here.”
Tillman has been outspoken about how his household has impacted his life and basketball all through his profession, after turning into a father at 17.
Earlier than Tillman arrived at Michigan State to play, head coach Tom Izzo expressed worries about how being a dad would have an effect on his education and athletics.
Nevertheless, Tillman knew what his priorities had been and the way he was going to need to deal with totally different points of his life.
“If I’m going to be a dad, I’ve received to just accept this position,” he said whereas at college. “I can’t need to be a school pupil and be out all evening and be a dad, too. The common school life wasn’t my life.”
This concentrate on household has continued into his NBA profession, and he believes has helped make him a greater participant.
Tillman’s capability to carry out and keep optimistic whereas beneath stress has caught the attention of his teammates as effectively.
“When the sport’s on the road, he’s actually encouraging, he’s actually upbeat,” Derrick White stated following Wednesday’s sport.
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