Celtics Center Will Return for Game 2 vs. Pacers

Bobby Krivitsky | May 23, 2024

Apr 7, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Xavier Tillman Sr. (26). / Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

On Thursday night at TD Garden, the Celtics aim to do what they haven't this postseason: win Game 2.

Doing so would move them halfway to their second trip to the NBA Finals in three years.

And while Boston still won't have Kristaps Porzingis, who's inching closer to his return from the soleus strain in his right calf that has sidelined him since Game 4 against the Heat in the first round, there is help on the way at center.

Ahead of Thursday's matchup, the hosts upgraded Xavier Tillman Sr. from questionable to available for Game 2. He missed the series opener for personal reasons.

His return is timely, as it's on the heels of Al Horford logging 40 minutes in Tuesday's 133-128 victory.

As for Indiana, the visitors' injury report remains the same as Game 1. They're without their top scoring option off the bench, Bennedict Mathurin, inactive since March because of a shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery. Fortunately for the Pacers, no one else is listed.

Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals will tip off at 8:00 EST on Thursday night at TD Garden.

Further Reading

Joe Mazzulla Addresses if Celtics Will Use Jayson Tatum at Center vs. Pacers

Jrue Holiday Starts Eastern Conference Finals with Best Game as a Celtic

Jaylen Brown's Heroics Propel Celtics to 1-0 Lead in Conference Finals

Aaron Nesmith Left Lasting Impression with Celtics Before Finding a Home with Pacers

Trivializing Celtics' Success in Tatum-Brown Era a Take Not Measured Properly: 'Doing

Past Hardships Brought Out Best in Al Horford in Career Night: 'You Saw His Gift'

Jayson Tatum Breaks Out of Scoring Slump That Never Defined Him: 'Underappreciated'

Kristaps Porzingis Discusses Target Date to Rejoin Celtics' Playoff Run: 'Doing Everything I Can'