KHEM BIRCH NEWS

Questionable Friday Birch is questionable for Friday's game against the Mavericks due to right knee soreness, Blake Murphy of The Athletic reports.

Impact Birch saw a season-high 12 minutes in Wednesday's win over the Spurs, but his knee didn't respond particularly well to the increased workload. If Birch misses Friday's game, his absence shouldn't affect Toronto's frontcourt rotation much.

NOVEMBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Limited minutes despite easy win Birch closed with two points (1-2 FG), one assist and one steal in 12 minutes during Wednesday's 143-100 win over San Antonio.

Impact Birch managed a season-high 12 minutes Wednesday, indicating that he is certainly well down the pecking order right now. This game descended into garbage time early, meaning many fringe options saw increased run. Birch falls into this category, given what we have seen thus far, making him a non-factor outside of the deepest formats.

NOVEMBER 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Toronto takes on Brooklyn for conference matchup

Brooklyn plays Toronto in a matchup of Eastern Conference teams

OCTOBER 21, 2022 • Associated Press

Says he'll play against Nets Birch (knee) said he'll be available for Friday's game against Brooklyn, Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Impact Birch sat out Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Cavaliers due to a knee injury but said that his absence was mostly precautionary. He didn't undergo an MRI and is feeling better Friday, so he'll be able to make his season debut against the Nets.

OCTOBER 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as questionable Birch (knee) is questionable for Friday's game against the Nets, Aaron Rose of SI.com reports.

Impact Birch didn't play Wednesday against the Cavaliers but returned to practice Thursday. He's in the mix to return to the court for the first half of a back-to-back set Friday, but it's possible that he faces a minutes restriction if he's available against Brooklyn.

OCTOBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to practice Thursday Birch (knee) participated in Thursday's practice session, Aaron Rose of SI.com reports.

Impact Birch was unavailable for Wednesday's regular-season opener against Cleveland due to swelling in his knee, but it was encouraging to see him back at practice a day later. It's not yet clear whether he had any limitations Thursday or whether he'll be available Friday against the Nets, but he seems to be trending in the right direction.

OCTOBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Officially sidelined Wednesday Birch (knee) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.

Impact Birch landed a doubtful designation on the initial injury report, so all indications were that he would be headed for an absence Wednesday. However, he can now officially be taken off the radar, and Birch will turn his focus to a potential season debut Friday against the Nets.

OCTOBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Raptors Provide Injury Update Including New Knee Injury for Khem Birch The Toronto Raptors say Khem Birch will miss the season opener with a new knee injury while Chris Boucher is questionable to play Wednesday

OCTOBER 18, 2022 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Raptors Provide Injury Update Including New Knee Injury for Khem Birch The Toronto Raptors say Khem Birch will miss the season opener with a new knee injury while Chris Boucher is questionable to play Wednesday

OCTOBER 18, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM

Officially doubtful Birch (knee) is officially listed as doubtful for Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Cavaliers, Aaron Rose of SI.com reports.

Impact Birch continues to deal with swelling in his knee, but the encouraging news is that it's not his surgically repaired knee. Regardless, it sounds like the big man will still be held out of the team's regular-season opener and will likely be considered day-to-day moving forward.

OCTOBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Out with swelling in knee Birch (knee) will not play in Wednesday's season-opener against Cleveland, Josh Lewenberg of TSN reports.

Impact The big man is dealing with some swelling in his knee, but it's not the same knee on which he underwent surgery this offseason, so that appears to be good news. The reserve big man will likely be considered day-to-day as the Raptors move through the first week of the regular season.

OCTOBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Anunoby scores 32, Raptors beat Celtics in overtime 137-134

OG Anunoby scored 32 points and Scottie Barnes added 25 as the Toronto Raptors defeated the Boston Celtics in 137-134 in overtime in Montreal

OCTOBER 15, 2022 • Associated Press

Draws start in preseason finale Birch will start Friday's preseason finale against the Celtics, Vivek Jacob of the Raptors' official site reports.

Impact Birch was sidelined for the start of preseason while recovering from offseason surgery to repair a torn meniscus, but he's since returned to action and will likely get extended run during the Raptors' final exhibition contest. Birch averaged 4.5 points and 4.3 rebounds across 18.0 minutes per game last year and figures to garner a similar role during the 2022-23 campaign.

OCTOBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Considered day-to-day Birch (knee) is considered day-to-day as he works his way back from offseason surgery on a meniscus tear, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.

Impact Birch's surgery was considered minor and meant to clean up loose debris in his knee. His day-to-day status is promising as the season inches closer. The big man projects to provide depth at center behind Pascal Siakam and Precious Achiuwa this season.

OCTOBER 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Raptors report: Khem Birch's surgical reveal, fight for final spots and more 'I realized there was something wrong on the lateral side of my knee,' Khem Birch said in explaining why he needed his offseason surgery.

OCTOBER 1, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Working back from meniscus tear Birch is still on a recovery path following an offseason surgery that discovered a previously unknown torn meniscus, Eric Koreen of The Athletic reports.

Impact Birch underwent minor knee surgery in May to clean up loose debris that revealed the injury, putting his preseason status up in the air. Birch dealt with nagging knee issues last season, playing just 55 games and averaging 4.5 points and 4.3 rebounds in 18.0 minutes of action.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Khem Birch Undergoes Surgery to Clean Up Ailing Right Knee Toronto Raptors center Khem Birch has undergone offseason surgery to repair his ailing right knee

MAY 26, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Will be fine for camp after surgery Birch has undergone arthroscopic knee surgery to learn up loose debris and is expected to be ready for training camp in September, Vivek Jacob of the Raptors' official site reports...

Impact The 2021-22 campaign was Birch's first full season with the Raptors. He appeared in 55 games and averaged 4.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists. Coach Nick Nurse utilized Birch as a starter for 32 games, though that was often due to the myriad of absences the Raptors were dealing with, as a fully healthy frontcourt usually featured Pascal Siakam at center. Heading into next year, it seems like a similar situation will play out unless an offseason addition at the position is made.

MAY 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Embiid hits winning 3 in OT, 76ers beat Raptors for 3-0 lead

Joel Embiid made a 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds left in overtime to give the Philadelphia 76ers a 104-101 victory over the Toronto Raptors and a 3-0 lead in their first-round series

APRIL 21, 2022 • Associated Press

Joins starting five Birch will start Wednesday's Game 3 against the 76ers, Blake Murphy of The Athletic reports.

Impact After coming off the bench for Games 1 and 2, Birch will rejoin the starting unit for Wednesday's Game 3 in an attempt to slow down Philadelphia's Joel Embiid. As a result, Precious Achiuwa will shift back to a reserve role after getting the start in Game 2. Birch is averaging 4.5 points and 4.3 rebounds in 18.0 minutes per game this season.

APRIL 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Coming off bench Birch will come off the bench for Saturday's Game 1 against the 76ers, Austin Krell of USA Today reports.

Impact The Raptors will start small despite going up against Joel Embiid, so Birch will come off the bench. As a reserve, he's averaged 4.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 17.0 minutes.

APRIL 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Will start Sunday Birch will start Sunday's game against Miami, Aaron Rose of Sports Illustrated reports.

Impact With OG Anunoby (thigh) scratched from the lineup, Birch will enter the mix at center, while Pascal Siakam shifts down to power forward.

APRIL 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Non-factor in return Birch had zero points (0-2 FT) and one rebound over five minutes during Wednesday's 125-102 win over the Timberwolves.

Impact Birch returned from a one-game absence due to a knee issue, but he operated off the bench as the Raptors opted to stick with Pascal Siakam as their small-ball center. Backup big men Precious Achiuwa and Chris Boucher also appeared to be ahead of Birch in the rotation, as they both played 22 minutes off the bench. Birch had started 17 of his previous 18 appearances, but it appears his role may be reduced for the stretch run with the Raptors close to full strength.

MARCH 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Siakam has triple-double, Raptors rout Timberwolves 125-102

Pascal Siakam had 12 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high 13 assists for his second career triple-double, Gary Trent Jr. scored 29 points and the Toronto Raptors strengthened thei...

MARCH 31, 2022 • Associated Press

Set to play Wednesday Birch (knee) will be available for Wednesday's game against the Timberwolves, Josh Lewenberg of TSN reports.

Impact Birch will return from a one-game absence, but he'll come off the bench as the Raptors stick with Pascal Siakam as their small-ball center. Birch had started 17 of the previous 18 games, averaging 4.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists in that span (18.2 MPG).

MARCH 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE