Xavier Tillman sparking a playoff push with Memphis Grizzlies

Xavier Tillman is quickly showing that he belongs in the NBA. He’s playing his best basketball of the season down the stretch for the Memphis Grizzlies and he’s outperforming several players that were drafted ahead of him in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Like Draymond Green, he could soon be referred to as one of the biggest steals in his draft class after an impressive career with Michigan State.

Tillman is sparking a serious playoff push with the Grizzlies after a string of solid games.

Let’s take a look at his recent string of terrific performances:

• April 16 — Tillman scores 14 points in only 17 minutes of action (while shooting an impressive 67 percent from the field).
• April 17 — Tillman scores 15 points in 22 minutes of play (he hits seven of his 10 shot attempts).
• April 19 — His best game to date. Tillman has a monster game against Denver and their MVP front-runner Nikola Jokic. The product of Michigan State scores 18 points and collects 14 rebounds. Take a look at the video clip of his career night below:

• April 21 — Tillman has yet another strong game highlighted by his 12 rebounds.

Fellow Spartan big man Jaren Jackson Jr. has been activated after missing the majority of the season with a leg injury and starting center Jonas Valanciunas is slated to return from a concussion soon so Tillman’s court time will be slightly reduced in the weeks to come but there is no denying the impact he makes when he sees the floor for Memphis.

Tillman has helped put the Grizzlies right in the thick of a hunt for a playoff birth. To Spartan Nation, his success is no surprise. He has all the tools and determination to continue to make his presence felt in the NBA.