With Ja Morant currently sidelined, some thought Wednesday night’s match-up between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Lakers was going to result in a second consecutive win for the Lakers. However, a pair of former Spartans showed out and led the Grizzlies to the win, as Xavier Tillman Sr. and Jaren Jackson Jr. combined for 40 points and 22 rebounds in the Grizzlies 103 to 93 win over Los Angeles.
Tillman alone shocked many, as he racked up 22 points and 13 rebounds in the win. While MSU fans know what Tillman is capable of, the performance took many by surprise and had Twitter buzzing.
You can see some of the best of those reactions below.
Tonight, once again, AD stood for Always Disappointing. Got outplayed by Xavier Tillman.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 20, 2023
Xavier Tillman pic.twitter.com/cH9JbMYlHG
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) April 20, 2023
Tom Izzo helped immensely in the development of playoff stars JJJ and Xavier Tillman and there is no amount of crying that can change that.
— Fireball sommelier (@Sheehan_Sports) April 20, 2023
Ja Morant was just holding back Xavier Tillman??
— Brew (@IamBrewster) April 20, 2023
And here I am fawning over Xavier Tillman Sr’s zero turnovers in 32 minutes played stat line 🔥
— ˢᵉᵒᵘˡʲᵃᵃ (@Seouljaa) April 20, 2023
xavier tillman is the absolute man
— Michael Pina (@MichaelVPina) April 20, 2023
Happy for Xavier Tillman. Hell of a performance.
— Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) April 20, 2023
Xavier Tillman tonight:
22 PTS
13 REB
10-13 FGFirst Grizzlies player to reach those numbers on 75 FG% in a playoff game. pic.twitter.com/tm348ZrBLe
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 20, 2023
Xavier Tillman truly personifies what Michigan State Basketball is all about.
A whole lotta development, patience, selflessness, and getting it out the mud.
— Justin Thind (@JustinThind) April 20, 2023
Xavier Tillman was an absolute joy to talk to/cover while at Michigan State, and it's awesome to see him thriving in the NBA … I tried to tell ya! https://t.co/54VZufhCrM
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) April 20, 2023
Xavier Tillman tonight:
22 points
13 rebounds
0 turnovers
76% FGHell of a performance. Respect. pic.twitter.com/NZtyVtzzBC
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 20, 2023
Xavier Tillman becomes the youngest (only one under 25) second round pick to ever produce
20+ points
10+ rebounds
while shooting 75% or better from field (min. 10 FGA)in a single game in #NBAPlayoffs History.
— Shawn Coleman (@StatsSAC) April 20, 2023
Taylor Jenkins on Xavier Tillman: “He’s been huge and has been doing this all season”
“This is the true sign of a winner and of a pro, and that’s why we love X. Impacting winning no matter what his role is”
— Parker Fleming (@PAKA_FLOCKA) April 20, 2023
Michigan State got dudes.
Jaren Jackson Jr:
18 Points
9 Rebounds
3 Assists
3 Blocks (DPOY 🗣)Xavier Tillman:
22 Points
13 Rebounds
3 AssistsGrizzlies even the series @ 1-1 vs the Lakers 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1umcx1MTD9
— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) April 20, 2023
Xavier Tillman, John Konchar, Tyus Jones…Grizzlies getting contributions from their role players across the roster while the Lakers – especially D'Angelo Russell – keep making one mistake after another.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) April 20, 2023
