The Boston Celtics are set to begin their Eastern Conference Finals series against the Indiana Pacers on Monday night in TD Garden. Unfortunately, they will be without backup big man Xavier Tillman in this one, as the 25-year-old is not with the team due to personal reasons. Tillman announced on Instagram in a tribute that his father, Roosevelt Tillman, had passed away.

Boston acquired Tillman from the Memphis Grizzlies at the trade deadline in exchange for two future second-round picks. One of the second-round picks Memphis now owns is the Atlanta Hawks' 2027 second-round pick, while the other is the Dallas Mavericks' 2030 second-round pick.

Tillman played in 20 regular season games for the Celtics, averaging 4.0 points and 2.7 rebounds in roughly 13.7 minutes per game. So far in the playoffs, he has played in just three games, most recently registering two rebounds and an assist in 11 minutes against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 9.

The Celtics enter the Eastern Conference Finals without starting big man Kristaps Porzingis, who has not played since April 29 due to a calf injury. With Porzingis sidelined and Tillman away from the team, Al Horford and Luke Kornet are the Celtics' only options at the center position.

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Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) and New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) work for the ball in the second quarter during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden.
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Boston has looked like the overwhelming favorites in the playoffs so far, winning each of their first two series against the Miami Heat and Cavs in five games. The Pacers, who won two out of five regular-season meetings against the Celtics this season, will be looking to give the championship favorites a run for their money. After all, Indiana did make it to the championship game of the first-ever NBA In-Season Tournament, so they are very worthy competitors in the conference finals.

In their last meeting on January 30, the Celtics defeated the Pacers 129-124 in TD Garden, behind 30 points from Jayson Tatum. Jaylen Brown and Derrick White stepped up offensively, scoring 25 and 24 points, respectively. Boston scored at least 120 points in four of their five matchups against Indiana this season.

At this time, it is unknown if Tillman will be available to return to the court ahead of Game 2 in Boston on Thursday night. The Celtics will give him as much time as he needs with his family to mourn the death of his father.