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Tom Orsborn

@tomorsborn.bsky.social

7K followers 251 following 2.6K posts

In my 41st year as a reporter with the San Antonio Express-News and my 12th consecutive season as one of the E-N’s Spurs beat writers. Also do occasional stories on food insecurity issues. Proud San Antonio College alumnus. 🏳️‍🌈ally

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Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 7m

From shootaround in Salt Lake City: Spurs say they’ll go to work tonight against the Jazz with a thin lineup. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

expressnews.com

Why Spurs will be without Victor Wembanyama, several others against Jazz

The Spurs announced at shootaround nine players will miss the third preseason game due to either injury or the need for rest.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 40m

Carter Bryant doing some work off to the side at shootaround this morning in Salt Lake City. He’s out tonight with a minor ankle injury but trending toward returning Wednesday at home vs. Phoenix.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 46m

#Spurs will be without the following players tonight at Utah: Bryant, Castle, Fox, Harper, Harris, Quaintance, Vassell, Wembanyama & Malik Williams. Team planned before preseason started to rest a lot of regulars in the 3rd preseason game. Bryant (ankle) is likely to return soon.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

“You don’t always get young guys that seek contact, that thrive or look for contact." Spurs coach Mitch Johnson and the team's veterans are raving about Tarris Reed Jr.’s physical play. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

expressnews.com

Why rookie Tarris Reed Jr. has caught the eye of Spurs coach Mitch Johnson

Johnson had some good things to say about the 26th overall pick of the 2026 NBA Draft before Saturday night's game in Phoenix.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

The Spurs desperately want to return to the Finals. To do so, they believe they can't skip any steps. That's why Mitch Johnson called a timeout just 1 minute and 50 seconds into Saturday night's game. On a wakeup call in Phoenix: www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

expressnews.com

Mitch Johnson: Lackluster 102-98 loss in Phoenix not up to Spurs' standard

Preseason or not, the coach expects more from a team determined to get back to the NBA Finals.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Victor Wembanyama expressed support for the protests by students fed up with France's educational crisis. “I'm glad that high school students and young people in general are making themselves heard," he said, per a translation by @maximeaubin1.bsky.social. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

expressnews.com

Spurs' Victor Wembanyama shows support for French student protests

The All-Star big man was asked about the unrest in his native country after Thursday night's 123-116 preseason loss to Atlanta.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Wemby supporting the student protests in France: “I was in that position not so long ago. I’ve had the chance to escape this system, escape this trouble, but it’s chance, it’s luck. So I want to show my support.”

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Good time to reiterate what a great time I had at this Somali restaurant in Minneapolis during the playoffs. Excellent meal and hospitality. Can’t wait to go back.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

It started in the regular season last year and became even stronger after his strong all-around play in the playoffs. “It” being Devin Vassell’s growth as one of the #Spurs’ respected vets. “He is a leader now without question,” Mitch Johnson said. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

expressnews.com

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson lauds Devin Vassell's growth as leader

The forward is more vocal entering his seventh season and coming off a strong all-around performance in his first postseason.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Wemby on Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell growing as leaders as the Spurs' longest-tenured current players: "They know the power they got on us. They know how much they can make us better and they do it very well and very intelligently."

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Wemby on Harper starting tonight: "That worked out. It's not like we hadn't done it before. In practice, of course, we worked on it. Yeah, that worked out." In 19 minutes, Dylan had 16 points on 5 of 7 from the floor, including 3 of 5, from deep, 4 rebounds and 4 assists without a turnover.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Dylan Harper on the #Spurs' three-guard lineup: "We're going to be really hard to guard... Me and Steph get downhill, Fox has the same ability...There's going to be a whole lot of mismatches...We understand what we all have to do to win. It's going to be great."

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

#Spurs will start Fox, Castle, Harper, Vassell & Wemby tonight. Mitch, when our @JMcDonald_SAEN asked if fans should read anything into that lineup for the preseason opener: "I can answer that: They're still going to read into it whatever they want to read into it."

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

While there are no official injury reports in the preseason, #Spurs say other than Tobias Harris (calf strain), Maliq Brown (back tightness) and Jayden Quaintance (knee surgery rehab), everyone is good to go for tonight’s exhibition opener against Atlanta.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Spurs second-year forward Carter Bryant on what Billy Donovan has been stressing to him in camp: “Be an mfer on defense and be an mfer on the glass. Just short and simple, just keep doing my job.”

Reposted by Tom Orsborn

gwen howerton @kissphoria.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Shamelessly reposting my favorite thing I've ever written, which is about being trans and a Texas A&M alum, in light of that excellent Arkansas Times piece about being Black and gay at University of Arkansas: www.chron.com/culture/arti...

Texas A&M helped me thrive as a transgender person. Now, it's complicated.

A mostly good college experience is hard to square with the school that exists now.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

In today’s @ExpressNews.com, Roger C. Barnes, professor emeritus of sociology at the University of the Incarnate Word, writes about how ICE raids in his hometown of Dodge City, Kan., are spreading “widespread fear, uncertainty and disruption.” www.expressnews.com/opinion/comm...

expressnews.com

ICE raids fuel economic disruptions and social and human costs

Recent ICE raids in Kansas harmed businesses and led to school disruptions. Just what did we gain?

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Dylan Harper reacts to becoming the Spurs’ latest cover boy and responds to a question about what area of his game he wants to strengthen the most in his sophomore season: www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

expressnews.com

Dylan Harper reacts to becoming last Spurs' SLAM cover boy

The list of other San Antonio player to grace the magazine's cover includes Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

When it comes to being a good NBA solider, the #Spurs’ Julian Champagnie is an All-Star. “Starting, not starting, I just like being here. I trust coach,” he said. On how the fifth-year forward isn't concerned about his role: www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

expressnews.com

Why Spurs' Julian Champagnie isn't worried about his role

Whether he starts again or backs up Tobias Harris, the fifth-year pro says he "just likes being here."

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Tarris Reed Jr. and the other members of the #Spurs 2026 rookie class couldn’t get over how many fans packed the Frost Bank Center for the Silver & Black Scrimmage: “(We) were talking about it like, 'Wow, these fans are different.' ” www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

expressnews.com

Fans pack Frost Bank Center for Spurs' annual Silver & Black Scrimmage

First-round pick Tarris Reed Jr. said he and the other members of the team's 2026 rookie class couldn't get over the enthusiasm generated by the crowd.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Mitch on Tobias Harris injury: “We won't rush him at all. So I guess the question would be, is he ready for the season opener? Totally questionable, will not push that at all. So we'll take it slow. There is no concern of this level of seriousness, and at the same time, we will not rush him at all.”

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Tarris Reed Jr. goes old school with Bon Jovi’s “Living On A Prayer” during #Spurs rookie karaoke after the scrimmage.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Wemby drawing up a play for the Silver squad.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Spurs back together at the Frost for first time since Game 5 of the Finals. As expected, a big, vocal crowd is on hand for the annual Silver & Black Scrimmage.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Spurs could be without their prize offseason acquisition when they open defense of their Western Conference championship against the Thunder on Oct. 20 www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

expressnews.com

Spurs list Tobias Harris as questionable for season opener due to injury

The versatile 15-year forward was the team's top offseason acquistion after they advanced to the NBA Finals last season.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Tobias Harris is questionable for the regular season opener due to a left calf strain he sustained in camp, #Spurs just announced. Harris will not play in today’s Silver & Black scrimmage and will be reevaluated after the preseason.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

“Not a lot of guys in this league are built the way that he is.” That’s De’Aaron Fox talking about 6-foot-10, 270-pound rookie Tarris Reed Jr., who is expected to make his debut before Spurs fans in Sunday’s Silver & Black scrimmage. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

expressnews.com

Scrimmage to give Spurs fans first look at Tobias Harris, Tarris Reed Jr.

The annual event at the Frost Bank Center comes one week into training camp for the defending Western Conference champions.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Spurs notebook: Mitch Johnson “very excited, honored” to have Hall of Famer next to him on bench…Donovan to aid in solving guard dilemma…Castle on push-off crack down. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

expressnews.com

Mitch Johnson opens up about addition of Billy Donovan to Spurs coaching staff

The 39-year-old head coach spoke publicly for the first time this week about having the Hall of Famer as an assistant.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Mitch Johnson “very honored, excited” to have Hall of Famer Billy Donovan by his side. "He's going to help all of us and me probably specifically a ton this year," Johnson said. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

expressnews.com

Mitch Johnson opens up about addition of Billy Donovan to Spurs coaching staff

The 39-year-old head coach spoke publicly for the first time this week about having the Hall of Famer as an assistant.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Smart, physical play is on the rise in the #Spurs camp after their bruising postseason run to the Finals. "It's something you have to go through and I'm glad we went through it (against) probably three of the most physical teams in the West," Wemby said. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

expressnews.com

How the Spurs' long playoff run molded them into a more physical team

Having experienced a rough-and-tumble postseason, the defending Western Conference champs should be even more hard-nosed in 2026-27.

Reposted by Tom Orsborn

Mike Finger @mikefinger.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Just asked Victor Wembanyama if he’d ever consider promoting a sports betting company. “Absolutely not. I will never do that. Honestly, I think it's very sad to see some players promote it. .. Everybody does whatever they want, but without me.”

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Mitch Johnson on #Spurs adding Billy Donovan: "He's a tremendous person, great personality, fits in seamlessly. He's got worlds of experience and he's an extremely hard worker. He's not kicking his feet up and telling stories. He's rolling his sleeves up and getting his hands dirty."

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson and his staff's emphasis on accountability will be even stronger this season after the addition of Billy Donovan,” said Luke Kornet, who played for Donovan in Chicago. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

expressnews.com

Why Luke Kornet believes Billy Donovan will be great fit with Spurs

The backup big man has fond memories of playing for the Hall of Fame coach when they were together in Chicago.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Victor Wembanyama put together one of the greatest seasons in Spurs history in 2025-26, but coach Mitch Johnson believes the 22-year-old French superstar has a "ton of room to improve in all aspects." www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

expressnews.com

How much better can the Spurs' Victor Wembanyama be this season?

The French superstar had one of the greatest seasons in club history in 2025-26, but coach Mitch Johnson says he has "a ton of room to improve in all aspects."

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The opening of the Spurs 2026 training camp dawned Tuesday with coach Mitch Johnson and star player Victor Wembanyama firmly in charge of the defending Western Conference champions, the team's longest-tenured active player indicated. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

expressnews.com

Why the Spurs have strong leaders in Mitch Johnson, Victor Wembanyama

The Spurs opened training camp Tuesday, and reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson says the team is in good hands with its coach and star player.

Reposted by Tom Orsborn

Mike Finger @mikefinger.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

The "haunting," as Victor Wembanyama called it, started more than three months ago. The ghosts of the NBA Finals won't just pack up and leave tomorrow. The Spurs will have to learn how to live with them. And win with them. Media day column: www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

expressnews.com

How the Spurs will deal with NBA Finals ghosts that still haunt them

Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs confront the haunting heartbreak of their NBA Finals loss as training camp opens.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Spurs media day notebook: Quaintance looking at redshirt season...Castle bonds quickly with fellow UConn alumnus Reed...Billy Donovan III returns to organization along with Hall of Fame father. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

expressnews.com

Mitch Johnson outlines Spurs' plan for Jayden Quaintance's rookie season

The team's top draft pick is currently rehabbing from offseason surgery to repair his right knee.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Stephon Castle on fellow UConn alumnus Tarris Reed Jr., selected 26th overall by the Spurs: "Tarris has been great through the open runs. He's rebounding the ball like crazy. He's finishing. His footwork looks sharp, so you can tell he's really been working."

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

With the exception of rookie Jayden Quaintance, the Spurs are healthy entering training camp. "The plan for him is to get it (his knee) right and take it slow,” Mitch Johnson said of the 20th overall pick. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

expressnews.com

Mitch Johnson outlines Spurs' plan for Jayden Quaintance's rookie season

The team's top draft pick is currently rehabbing from offseason surgery to repair his right knee.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Dylan Harper says he's ready to embrace whether the Spurs coaching staff has planned for him: "I'm always going to stay positive and I'm always going to be at the forefront of just keeping the team together." www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

expressnews.com

Dylan Harper plans to 'stay positive' no matter how Spurs use him

Coach Mitch Johnson's plans for the up-and-coming 20-year-old guard ranks as one of the hot topics heading into training camp.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Tobias Harris, the Spurs' prize offseason acquisition in free agency, described his union with the defending Western Conference champions as a "perfect match" in the sense they both have just one goal in mind: winning a title. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

expressnews.com

What Tobias Harris had to say about his 'perfect match' with Spurs

The veteran forward addressed the factors leading to him signing with the defending Western Conference champs at media day Monday morning.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Superstar Victor Wembanyama made it clear the #Spurs' five-game loss to the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals last June will drive the team from the moment training camp starts on Tuesday morning. "I couldn't imagine a better motivation," he said. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

expressnews.com

Victor Wembanyama opens up about emotional toll of Spurs' loss to Knicks

The 22-year-old French superstar talked about the bitter defeat to the Knicks during Monday's media day.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Steph Castle says the Finals loss “will shape our character for the rest of our lives. .. (It) motivates us to leave everything on the court, whether it’s a regular season game or a Finals game.”

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

“I couldn’t imagine a better motivation,” Wemby said of the Spurs’ loss to the Knicks in the Finals.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Tobias Harris says signing with the Spurs is a perfect match because he and the team have only one goal, winning a title.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Mitch Johnson said during his opening presser at #Spurs media day he would like to see Wemby grow in “manipulating the game.”

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Great job with this, @mikefinger.bsky.social

Reposted by Tom Orsborn

Cary Clack @caryclack.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Today's column. www.expressnews.com/opinion/comm...

expressnews.com

Race and reckoning: Thomas Jefferson’s children with slave Sally Hemings

What if the man who wrote that all men are created equal had begun with his own children, their mother and the plantation on which they lived?

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Newcomer Tobias Harris is one of seven players scheduled to meet with reporters Monday morning at the Spurs media day. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

expressnews.com

Spurs announce player list for media day

Seven players will take turns at the podium Monday morning after coach Mitch Johnson's opening presser.

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Spurs say the following players will be available in no particular order for media day Monday after Mitch’s opening presser: Castle, Fox, Harper, Wemby, Harris, Champagnie and Barnes.