KHEM BIRCH NEWS

Questionable for Wednesday's game Birch (knee) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Timberwolves, Aaron Rose of SI.com reports.

Impact Birch was sidelined for Monday's contest against the Celtics due to swelling in his right knee and may be sidelined for a second consecutive contest. If he's ruled out again, expect Precious Achiuwa and Chris Boucher to handle most of the minutes at center once again.

MARCH 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Siakam leads Toronto against Minnesota after 40-point performance

Toronto hosts the Minnesota Timberwolves after Pascal Siakam scored 40 points in the Toronto Raptors' 115-112 overtime victory against the Boston Celtics

MARCH 29, 2022 • Associated Press

Raptors Rule Out Khem Birch With Right Knee Swelling The Toronto Raptors will be without Khem Birch for Monday night’s game against the Boston Celtics due to right knee swelling

MARCH 28, 2022 • SACBEE.COM

Out with swelling in knee Birch will not play Monday against Boston due to swelling in his right knee.

Impact Birch is a new addition to the injury report, so it's unclear when the swelling popped up, but the Raptors will exercise caution with the postseason just around the corner. Expect Precious Achiuwa and Chris Boucher to handle most of the minutes at center Monday.

MARCH 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Grabs seven boards in start Birch ended Wednesday's 103-100 victory over the Clippers with nine points (2-2 FG, 5-6 FT), seven rebounds and one assist in 21 minutes.

Impact Birch moved back into the starting lineup after coming off the bench for two straight games, and put up a respectable line with nine points and seven boards. The scoring total was actually on the high side for him, as he has posted double-digit points only once in his past 29 appearances. Birch is a capable rebounder, but his lack of scoring and inconsistent playing time make him a player to avoid in fantasy.

MARCH 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rejoins starting lineup Birch will start Wednesday's game against the Clippers, Blake Murphy of The Athletic reports.

Impact Birch came off the bench the past two games and play only 11 minutes Monday against the Lakers, but he'll return to the lineup Wednesday. He's averaged 5.0 points and 4.3 rebounds in 18.6 minutes across 17 starts this season.

MARCH 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Khem Birch Opens Up About His Ailing Knee & the 'Bad Vibes' Surrounding His Season Toronto Raptors center Khem Birch says he’s had to learn to navigate through a frustrating knee injury as the injuries continue to mount for...

MARCH 12, 2022 • SACBEE.COM

Khem Birch Opens Up About His Ailing Knee & the 'Bad Vibes' Surrounding His Season Toronto Raptors center Khem Birch says he’s had to learn to navigate through a frustrating knee injury as the injuries continue to mount for...

MARCH 12, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

VanVleet, Raptors delay Popovich's record in win over Spurs

Fred VanVleet had 26 points and the Toronto Raptors beat the San Antonio Spurs 119-104 on Wednesday night, delaying Gregg Popovich’s coronation as the winningest coach in NBA histo...

MARCH 10, 2022 • Associated Press

Good to return Wednesday Birch is available to return to Wednesday's game against the Spurs after losing a tooth, Blake Murphy of The Athletic reports.

Impact Birch lost the tooth in a collision with Dejounte Murray early in the second half but has been cleared to return after being labeled questionable.

MARCH 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Secures eight rebounds Birch totaled five points (2-6 FG, 1-1 FT), eight rebounds, three assists, one block and two steals across 26 minutes during Sunday's 104-96 loss to Cleveland.

Impact Birch remained in the starting lineup and saw his highest minutes total since Jan. 11 since the Raptors were dealing with several injuries, and he finished second on the team in rebounds. In spite of his production on the boards against the Cavaliers, Birch has been an unreliable fantasy contributor during his stretch of eight consecutive starts.

MARCH 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mobley, Markkanen power Cavaliers past Raptors 104-96

Rookie Evan Mobley had 20 points and 17 rebounds, Lauri Markkanen scored 22 and the Cleveland Cavaliers widened their lead on Toronto in the Eastern Conference standings with a 104...

MARCH 7, 2022 • Associated Press

Flops in starting role Thursday Birch finished Thursday's 108-106 loss to the Pistons with two points (1-5 FG), three rebounds, two assists and one block across 20 minutes.

Impact Birch continues to start for the Raptors, although you wouldn't know it to look at his game log. Despite the starting tag, he is barely seeing 20 minutes per night, perhaps more indicative of where he sits in the pecking order. The fact he has not scored in double-digits all season should tell you everything you need to know about his fantasy value or lack thereof. Clearly, he can be ignored outside of very deep formats.

MARCH 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Raptors rally for 2nd straight win over struggling Nets

Scottie Barnes had 18 points and 10 rebounds, Gary Trent Jr. scored 24 and the Toronto Raptors rallied to beat Brooklyn 109-108 for their second win over the struggling Nets in two...

MARCH 2, 2022 • Associated Press

Starting Friday Birch will start Friday's game against the Hornets, Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Impact With OG Anunoby (finger) out for an undetermined amount of time, it's possible Birch will be in the starting five for the foreseeable future. In his eight starts this season, he's averaged 7.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 19.9 minutes.

FEBRUARY 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Raptors' Trent hits 30 points again in 103-91 win vs. Wolves

The Toronto Raptors were without All-Star Fred VanVleet but beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 103-91

FEBRUARY 17, 2022 • Associated Press

Set to start Wednesday Birch will start Wednesday's game at Minnesota, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.

Impact Birch will make his first start since Jan. 14 with Fred VanVleet (knee) sidelined, as coach Nick Nurse will start out with a tall lineup featuring Birch, Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes and OG Anunoby. Birch has averaged 4.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.7 steals in 17.0 minutes over the past three games and should see a bit more run Wednesday.

FEBRUARY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Light run in first two games back Birch played five minutes and finished with two points (0-1 FG, 2-2 FT) and an assist Friday in the Raptors' 125-114 win over the Hawks.

Impact After getting five minutes of run in Thursday's win over Miami following a 10-game absence due to a fractured nose, Birch suited up for the second half of the back-to-back set, but didn't see any uptick in playing time. At least for the time being, Chris Boucher and Precious Achiuwa seem to have gained the trust of head coach Nick Nurse and solidified roles as the Raptors' top frontcourt reserves. Birch likely won't see his role increase unless one or both of Boucher or Achiuwa falls out of favor.

FEBRUARY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Siakam scores 25 points as Raptors beat Bulls 127-120 in OT

Pascal Siakam had 25 points and 13 rebounds, Chris Boucher had 16 points and 10 rebounds, and the Toronto Raptors beat Chicago 127-120 in overtime Thursday, snapping a five-game lo...

FEBRUARY 4, 2022 • Associated Press

Will play Thursday Birch (nose) will be available for Thursday's game against the Bulls, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.

Impact Birch was originally ruled out for Thursday's contest but will instead return from a 10-game absence. He's likely to see limited minutes as a reserve option in the frontcourt behind Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam, Chris Boucher and Precious Achiuwa for his first game back.

FEBRUARY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out Thursday Birch (nose) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Bulls.

Impact Birch underwent surgery to repair a fractured nose in mid-January and will miss his 11th straight contest. It's unclear when the 29-year-old is expected to return to game action.

FEBRUARY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

DeRozan, Bulls set for matchup against the Raptors

DeMar DeRozan leads Chicago into a matchup with Toronto averaging 26.5 points per game

FEBRUARY 2, 2022 • Associated Press

Trent Jr. tops 30 for 5th straight game as Raptors beat Heat

Gary Trent Jr. scored 33 points, Pascal Siakam had 16 points and 14 rebounds and the Toronto Raptors won their third straight game Tuesday, beating the Miami Heat 110-106

FEBRUARY 2, 2022 • Associated Press

Remains out Tuesday Birch (nose) won't be available for Tuesday's game against the Heat, Aaron Rose of SI.com reports.

Impact Birch is continued to recover from the fractured nose he sustained Jan. 14 in Detroit, with injury ultimately requiring surgery. Assuming Birch has been able to maintain conditioning while he's been sidelined, he shouldn't face any major restrictions with his playing time when he's ultimately cleared to return. Prior to undergoing surgery, Birch had appeared in 23 games for Toronto while averaging 5.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 21.0 minutes.

FEBRUARY 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE