Big man Xavier Tillman came up big in the Game 2 win over the Lakers, and with the likes of center Steven Adams and forward Brandon Clarke injured and out (as well as star point guard Ja Morant), Tillman’s performance was desperately needed.
“I think it’s a true sign of a winner,” coach Taylor Jenkins said of Tillman, via Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. “It’s a true sign of a pro, and that’s why we love him, a guy who always stays ready. He wants to impact winning in whatever his role is going to be.”
Tillman finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds, as the series is now tied at 1-all.
“You couldn’t write this, bro,” he said, via Cole. “It’s humbling. It lets me know that no matter what I’m going through, it always passes.”
Head of basketball operations Sam Presti said there is room for improvement after the Thunder’s run to the play-in tournament.
“We’re still not a .500 team. I think we have the makings of a team that can be good,’ he said, via Brandon Rahbar of Daily Thunder. “We squeezed a lot of improvement into one year. We have to understand there’s a lot of work to do. We didn’t win half our games.”
Along with multiple draft picks, the Thunder will have 2022 NBA Draft No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren next season as he returns from a foot injury.
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