Boston.com · Oct 16, 2025
Xavier Tillman put his preseason game-winner into perspective
Tillman celebrates after game-winner against the Raptors Wednesday night (Charles Krupa/AP).The Celtics closed out their preseason going 3-1 following a Xavier Tillman game-winner Wednesday night.
With 3.3 seconds left and the game tied, second-year guard Baylor Schiereman found Tillman on the wing off an inbound.
Knowing time was short, Tillman took one dribble and put up a floater, finding the bottom of the net with 0.8 seconds left.
In his third year as a Celtic, Tillman has primarily been a role-player off the bench, averaging just 7 minutes per game last season and 13.7 the year before that.
However, even with his limited minutes, Tillman hasn’t shied away from the big moments.