After day one of training camp at the Auerbach Center, Xavier Tillman Sr. shared how significantly his knee injury held him back last season.
"My knee would have days where it would just swell up into a balloon after I'd have one scrimmage," conveyed the 26-year-old from Grand Rapids, Michigan. "I knew consistency-wise, I could be there to support, but as far as my actual play, I couldn't do everything that I wanted to do. So, last year was difficult in that aspect."
Xavier Tillman Sr.: "My knee would have days where it would just swell up into a balloon after I'd have one scrimmage...I knew consistency-wise, I could be there to support, but as far as my actual play, I couldn't do everything that I wanted to do."
— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) September 30, 2025
"I did learn a ton from KP… https://t.co/i6CneE0QPl pic.twitter.com/zR1z5dHXfc
Determined to prevent that injury from undermining his career, Tillman shed 12 pounds this offseason. That will help his knee hold up through the rigors of the upcoming campaign. It will also be crucial to fit the Boston Celtics' more up-tempo operation this year.
Beyond his burning motivation and newly sculpted figure, the five-year veteran explained to Hardwood Houdini two on-court developments that will enable him to help his team answer the questions about its options at the four and the five spots.
Xavier Tillman Sr.'s tireless work from beyond the arc
In Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals, the former Michigan State standout buried a triple from the corner that helped Boston produce a dominant frame, positioning the Celtics to seize a commanding 3-0 series lead.
However, there are also plenty of instances where he appeared hesitant to let it fly from behind the arc. He has never averaged more than 1.5 three-point attempts in a season. In 53 appearances with Boston, he's hoisting 1.1 shots from beyond the arc per tilt.
After the first day at training camp, Tillman told Hardwood Houdini that the area in which his game improved the most this summer was "Definitely shooting; as you'll probably notice as we get going in the season," he conveyed. "I've put up a tireless amount of shots. So, definitely my shooting."
And now that he's lighter on his feet, the six-foot-seven power forward and center can get back to demonstrating the type of defensive versatility that has enabled him to block Luka Doncic twice in the Finals and allowed him to once rank in the 99th percentile in defensive estimated plus-minus.
"You'll see my defense come back again, where I'lll make cuts and do things where it's like, okay, you can really switch and guard one through five," said Tillman. "And it's because of my knee health and that I got it back in the right direction mechanically."