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Stephen Michael

@smichael210.bsky.social

1K followers 280 following 1.7K posts

San Antonio sports reporter for Lone Star Sports Journal covering the San Antonio Spurs and SAFC | National Sports and Global TV News for @FwrdAxis.com

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Stephen Michael @smichael210.bsky.social · 15d

When covering politics, I often search for just the truth and I’m now bringing that to my sports stories. With the Lone Star Sports Journal, are the stories that matter — not just the highlights, but the truth.

I’m committed to reporting on the NBA, NFL, soccer, and college football with honesty.

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Stephen Michael @smichael210.bsky.social · 3h

NEW: The Spurs are still figuring out how to win tough games on the road, and Wednesday night in Los Angeles offered another harsh lesson.

Takeaways:

🏀: Wembanyama Feeling the Physicality

🏀: Close, But Not Clean

🏀: Welcome Re-Enforcements

Three Takeaways: Spurs Fall Just Short Against Lakers As Growing Pains Continue

San Antonio drops its second straight despite a late push in Los Angeles.

lonestarjournal.substack.com

Stephen Michael @smichael210.bsky.social · 3h

Nope, he wasn't. And I don't think people are saying he is? Mistakes and miscues cost them tonight.

Black_Sheep_One @black-sheep-0ne.bsky.social · 4h

Wembanyama wasn't the whole problem.

Stephen Michael @smichael210.bsky.social · 4h

Wemby on his confidence after the last two games: "There's no worrying really. The game feels fast right now... We're going to catch up to it, of course, but personally, I haven't seen this kind of defense from teams."

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Stephen Michael @smichael210.bsky.social · 5h

More from Johnson on Wemby: "He'll be fine. We need to get him the ball in better spots and get to our starting spots earlier. He needs to be more demonstrative and demand the ball."

Stephen Michael @smichael210.bsky.social · 5h

Completely agree

Stephen Michael @smichael210.bsky.social · 5h

Harper to injury and Wemby's bad play the last two

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Stephen Michael @smichael210.bsky.social · 5h

No problem! I'll be here all season long for most games.

As for the team, they had to beat the Lakers and the refs tonight. Seriously though, Wemby had two bad nights and that's equalled two losses.

Stephen Michael @smichael210.bsky.social · 5h

Spurs Head Coach Mitch Johnson said he's not worried about Wemby offensively, saying he needs to be more demanding of getting the ball.

"He should yell at everybody in the gym, including his teammates and me," Johnson said.

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Stephen Michael @smichael210.bsky.social · 6h

Julian Champagnie misses both free throws (one was intentional) and the #Spurs fall to the Lakers 118-116 in an ugly, ugly, basketball game.

Spurs have now lost two straight.

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Stephen Michael @smichael210.bsky.social · 6h

Jeremy Sochan has fouled out

Stephen Michael @smichael210.bsky.social · 6h

Harrison Barnes has also fouled out of the game.

Stephen Michael @smichael210.bsky.social · 6h

Call stands. Wemby has fouled out for the third time in his career and second time this season.

He finishes with 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block.

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Stephen Michael @smichael210.bsky.social · 6h

Wemby's fouled out with 19 points. It appears on the replay that the call will stand.

Stephen Michael @smichael210.bsky.social · 6h

Castle with 6 turnovers, which have turned into Lakers points. Hachimura's three has cut the #Spurs lead to 106-104 with 5:15 left. Mitch Johnson wants timeout.

Stephen Michael @smichael210.bsky.social · 6h

Wemby and Luka with 5 fouls. Spurs leading 103-97 with 7:39 left in regulation. This is just ugly basketball tonight.

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Stephen Michael @smichael210.bsky.social · 7h

Wemby now with 5 fouls

Stephen Michael @smichael210.bsky.social · 7h

End of 3Q: Spurs 96, Lakers 88

Vassell/Castle 15 pts
Barnes/Champagnie/Wemby 14pts

Luka 27 pts
Ayton 16 pts

So. Many. Whistles.

Stephen Michael @smichael210.bsky.social · 7h

Stephon (or Stephen as the Lakers PA guy calls him) Castle with six straight points to give the Spurs the 90-80 lead.

Stephen Michael @smichael210.bsky.social · 7h

It's clear Wemby is working on getting out of the double teams. He took one step and spun out for a foul. Spurs up 80-77 with 4:44 left in the 3Q.

Stephen Michael @smichael210.bsky.social · 7h

Wemby hurt himself on the drive, it looks like he knocked knees with Anton. He's staying in the game.

Stephen Michael @smichael210.bsky.social · 7h

A quick 8-0 run for the Spurs to take a six-point lead, but that's now gone after a bad pass from Castle is stolen by Luka, who lobs it up. We're even at 72, 7:23 3Q. Timeout, Mitch Johnson.

Stephen Michael @smichael210.bsky.social · 7h

Second half underway with the Lakers leading the Spurs 60-59.

Stephen Michael @smichael210.bsky.social · 8h

End of 1Q: Spurs 29, Lakers 26

Much better opening 12 minutes for the Spurs, who were aggressive on both ends of the court.

Champagnie 9 pts (2-3 3-PT FG)
Keldon 6 pts
Vassell 5 pts

Dončić 13 points.

Stephen Michael @smichael210.bsky.social · 8h

Did Luka go to the SGA school for foul baiting?

Stephen Michael @smichael210.bsky.social · 8h

Kelly Olynyk with some nice defense on Luka and forces the turnover. #Spurs lead 20-10 in the 1st quarter.