The pair of Celtics reserves recently sat down with Sam's brother Joey (a G League player himself) to talk about their respective paths to the NBA.

Jayson Tatum finds Luke Kornet on the pick-and-roll, leading to a slam dunk by Kornet for the Celtics.

Philadelphia 76ers' Guerschon Yabusele, left, goes up for a shot against Boston Celtics' Luke Kornet during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in Philadelphia.

Tillman is available to return from a three-game absence Tuesday due to left knee inflammation. The big man has received little playing time of late, though he could see a bump in minutes with Al Horford (toe) and Luke Kornet (personal) sidelined.

It was not all that long ago that backup Boston Celtics big man Luke Kornet was seen as a potential liability for his ball club, some analysts even clamoring for his trade from the team for a more reliable backup big.

Out for Tuesday

Luke Kornet (personal) has already been ruled out against Toronto, so Tillman could be in line to share the backup center minutes with the probable Neemias Queta (illness) if Al Horford (toe) sits out.

Or at least that is the view of Bleacher Report NBA expert Eric Pincus, who ranked the Celtics center as the No. 30 overall free agent heading into the league's 2025 offseason. And given how the Vanderbilt alum has been playing for Boston,

The Celtics downgraded Kristaps Porzingis minutes before tipoff in Toronto and started a surprise replacement in his spot.

It was not all that long ago that backup Boston Celtics big man Luke Kornet was seen as a potential liability for his ball club, some analysts even clamoring for his trade from the team for a more reliable backup big.

Kristaps Porzingis was a surprise downgrade right before tipoff, leading to new addition Torrey Craig getting his first start in Boston.

The pair of Celtics reserves recently sat down with Sam's brother Joey (a G League player himself) to talk about their respective paths to the NBA.