One of the coolest stories of this NBA season has been the rise of Xavier Tillman. The former Michigan State Basketball star has been breaking out as part of the Memphis Grizzlies, seemingly setting new career-highs with each game and continuing to get more and more recognition as he has helped a Grizzlies team that has two injured stars remain in playoff contention.
The Grizzlies are now 6-6 after Saturday’s win over the Philadelphia 76ers, and this game might have been Tillman’s coming out party for most of the country. Tillman had 15 points, 4 steals, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists against the Sixers, and he also sealed the game after forcing Tobias Harris out of bounds.
Below, we compiled some of the reactions on Twitter to a breakout game for Xavier Tillman:
*LOUD BARKING*
15 points | 4 steals | 3 rebounds for @Rookiedunker #GrzNxtGen pic.twitter.com/LYrJ8UA5Df
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) January 17, 2021
Xavier Tillman smarts popping early. Peels to the roller and breaks up the pass for a steal. Has been awesome this year pic.twitter.com/htTLTekHJQ
— Jackson Frank (@jackfrank_jjf) January 17, 2021
XAVIER TILLMAN STOCK ON THE RISE pic.twitter.com/r0wqSg223w
— Karens In Paris (@NekiasNBA) January 17, 2021
Good defense from Xavier Tillman here. Sixers run the action for Harris to come off. Tillman switches on to him and is able to keep sliding without fouling. Harris ends up stepping out of bounds. pic.twitter.com/FeIxn7OYPV
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) January 17, 2021
Xavier Tillman really won that game for us. Unreal. pic.twitter.com/2JDr13yJMI
— Made in Memphis (@MadeinMemphis1) January 17, 2021
Xavier Tillman is killing it for the Grizzlies right now. 15 points on 7-11 shooting and he even drained a corner 3. Plus stellar defense of course, because it’s Xavier Tillman pic.twitter.com/uJUMtIgPjc
— Andrew Birkle (@Andrew_Birkle) January 17, 2021
Xavier Tillman won that game for us
— Grizzaholics (@Grizzaholics) January 17, 2021
How good is Xavier Tillman?
— Josh Lloyd (@redrock_bball) January 17, 2021
Back-to-back games in double figures for Xavier Tillman. @chrissolari saw this coming. https://t.co/YwUTgp7QMm
— Chris Thomas (@ByChrisThomas) January 17, 2021
Xavier Tillman has been so freakin good tonight on both ends
— Mark Schindler (@MSchindlerNBA) January 17, 2021
xavier tillman is really out here playing like a seasoned veteran in the first month of his rookie year
— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) January 17, 2021
Game-winning plays by Xavier Tillman and game-winning decisions by Jenkins adjusting his rotation on the fly tonight. Great to see the Grizzlies hang on to win that one
— Grizzly Bear Blues (@sbnGrizzlies) January 17, 2021
I’m President of the Xavier Tillman Fan Club
— Jon Roser (@Jon_Roser) January 17, 2021
not your average rook.
peep the footwork.@Rookiedunker | #GrzNxtGen pic.twitter.com/0Xsx6CT3tP
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) January 17, 2021
Xavier Tillman Sr continuing to make statements. 15 points, 4 steals, and all over the place on both ends of the floor. This is incredible to watch unfold. We always knew, now the NBA world is realizing it toopic.twitter.com/nh94SbStH3
— ˢᵉᵒᵘˡʲᵃᵃ (@Seouljaa) January 17, 2021
"Just call him Beast Mode." – @PetePranica on Xavier Tillman's performance against the 76ers@Rookiedunker | #GrindCity pic.twitter.com/Yk4p9MpaXI
— FOX Sports Grizzlies (@GrizzliesOnFSSE) January 17, 2021
