24 Khem Birch C

Birch notched 12 points (5-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists and a steal across 33 minutes off the bench in Friday's loss against the Celtics.

Birch was particularly aggressive on the offensive glass, pulling down five of those boards en route to posting his second double-double of the season. Despite the fact Birch is limited to a backup role to star center Nikola Vucevic, he has shown the ability to produce when given the chance. He has scored in double digits in four of his last six contests while pulling down double-digit rebounds three times in that stretch.

Birch went for 12 points (4-4 FG, 4-5 FT), eight rebounds and three steals across 24 minutes Saturday night in the loss to the Mavs.

While Nikola Vucevic gets a majority of the playing time, Birch has proven that he can provide when needed. Through five games in 2021, Birch so far is averaging 9.2 points and 7.4 rebounds in 22 minutes of action while shooting 70.7 percent from the floor.

Birch scored 12 points (5-7 FG, 2-2 FT) and added 12 rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal in 23 minutes off the bench in the Magic's 103-83 win over the Cavs.

The 12 rebounds for Birch not only led the team Monday night, they were also a season-high, as were his 12 points. Birch doesn't get much too playing time with Nikola Vucevic averaging over 30 minutes per game so his fantasy upside remains limited, barring any injuries.

Birch is averaging 6.7 points and 4.7 rebounds across 17.0 minutes per game through the first three games of the season.

Birch has helped the Magic to a perfect 3-0 start by going 6-for-6 from the foul line after he shot just 65.3 percent on free throws last season. The 28-year-old center could take on a bigger role if Nikola Vucevic is forced to miss any time, but for now he remains a low usage backup center.

Birch eked out two points (1-3 FG), two rebounds and one block over 11 minutes of run in Monday's scrimmage loss to Denver.

Birch received 10 DNP's in Orlando's last 15 games before the March sports stoppage, so it's assumed Birch will have a minor bench role with the Magic during the play-in games. That said, Orlando doesn't have much to play for during the play-in games. Even though Orlando is currently the 8th seed, their chances for making the playoffs are strong considering they have a 5.5 game lead over the injury raddled Wizards. Birch could conceivably see a lot of garbage time during the play-in games, before the actual playoffs start.

Birch will come off the bench for Saturday's tilt with the Bucks.

Birch will be replaced by Wes Iwundu in the starting five. Despite a track record of strong play, Birch's been held to just 20 total minutes over his past two outings. Across 13 others games as a reserve, the 27-year-old big has averaged 2.8 points and 3.1 rebounds in 13.4 minutes per game.

Birch (back) logged eight minutes off the bench in Wednesday's 116-100 loss to the Celtics, finishing with zero points and one rebound.

Though Birch was cleared to play after missing the Magic's previous contest, he didn't fill his usual role as the starting power forward and went unused for the entire first half before checking into the contest late in the third quarter. Orlando may have just been acting cautiously with Birch coming off the injury, but assuming he escaped Wednesday's game without any setbacks, he should be available again Thursday versus the Knicks.

Birch (back) is expected to be available Wednesday against Boston, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports.

Birch missed Monday's game in Charlotte with a sore back, but he was able to go through shootaround Wednesday morning and is likely to make his return to the starting lineup, per coach Steve Clifford.

The Magic list Birch (back) as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Celtics.

While Birch was sidelined for Monday's 112-100 win over the Hornets, Aaron Gordon slotted in at power forward while Wes Iwundu entered the starting five at small forward. Expect a combination of Iwundu, Gary Clark and Michael Carter-Williams to absorb extra minutes in the event Birch sits out a second straight game Wednesday.

Birch won't play Monday against Charlotte due to low back tightness.

This is the first report of a possible injury for the center, as Birch most recently tallied four rebounds in 17 minutes against Miami on Saturday. With Birch absent Monday, Wes Iwundu will reportedly rejoin the starting five and will likely see an increased role versus the Hornets.

Birch contributed nine points (3-5 FG, 3-4 FT), five rebounds, two blocks and one steal in 27 minutes Sunday in the Magic's 112-97 loss to the Clippers.

Birch was included in the starting five for the ninth time in 10 games, as coach Steve Clifford has seemingly favored a super-sized frontcourt featuring the 27-year-old alongside Nikola Vucevic following Jonathan Isaac's likely season-ending knee injury. The move to the top unit has come with a spike in playing time, but Birch isn't doing enough to warrant much attention outside of deeper leagues. Over his last five outings, Birch is averaging 5.6 points and 5.4 boards in 18.8 minutes.

Birch is a late addition to the starting five, taking Wesley Iwundu's place for Friday's game against the Celtics.

It was originally reported that Iwundu was starting, but that has been corrected. Birch has started 19 games this season, averaging 4.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 25.3 minutes.

Birch will come off the bench Wednesday against the Thunder.

Birch has started the past seven games, though he's seen fewer than 20 minutes in each of his past four appearances, posting averages of 2.3 points and 3.0 rebounds during that stretch. Wes Iwundu is getting the start in place of Birch on Wednesday.

Birch totaled just one rebound in 16 minutes during Wednesday's 119-118 victory over the Lakers.

Birch hit rock bottom Wednesday, missing his only two shot attempts during just 16 minutes on the floor. He continues to start for the Magic who are paper-thin in the power forward department. His role could quickly evaporate should the Magic choose to go with a smaller lineup and Birch is not worth adding in almost every competitive format.

Birch is starting Wednesday against the Wizards.

Birch will replace Wes Iwundu in the starting five. In 12 starts the season, the big man is averaging 4.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 blocks in 27.8 minutes per tilt.

Birch will come off the bench Saturday against the Jazz.

Birch was handed an unexpected start Friday against the Heat with Jonathan Isaac sidelined, but he'll return to the bench Saturday as Wes Iwundu gets the nod. In nine appearances off the bench this season, Birch has averaged 3.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 14.0 minutes.

Birch is starting Friday's game against Miami.

Birch finished with seven points and 10 boards in 26 minutes Wednesday against the Wizards, so the Magic will give him a chance to run with the first unit. He's started 11 games this season, averaging 4.8 points, seven rebounds and 1.5 assists in 28 minutes.

Birch managed seven points (3-3 FG, 1-2 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and one block in 26 minutes during Wednesday's 122-101 win over the Wizards.

Birch was perfect from the field and saw 11 minutes more than Mo Bamba, who typically holds down the fort as Nikola Vucevic's primary backup at center. Washington regularly employed lineups with two big men, thus allowing Birch and other Magic big men to see the court amid the absences of Aaron Gordon (Achilles) and Jonathan Isaac (knee), with the latter leaving just minutes into the game. If Gordon and Isaac remain sidelined for Friday's matchup versus the Heat, Birch could once again receive decent minutes.

Birch (coach's decision) didn't see the floor during Sunday's 130-119 win over the Pelicans.

After starting the previous 11 games and playing a season-high 32 minutes just two days earlier, Birch dropped out of the Magic rotation entirely with Nikola Vucevic (ankle) back in action. Vucevic handled a normal minutes load in his first game back, while Mo Bamba handled the backup role, leaving Birch third on the depth chart. Given that Bamba's development remains a greater priority for the Magic than finding playing time for Birch, expect the latter to remain out of the rotation for the foreseeable future.

Birch is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Pelicans.

Nikola Vucevic (ankle) returns to the starting five following an 11-game absence, pushing Birch back to the bench. Birch averaged 4.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.2 blocks in 28.0 minutes as a fill-in starter, so his fantasy upside will be minimal while playing reduced minutes.