The Latest Breaking News from Philly

Sweet 16 thoughts about this NCAA Tournament, with some bracket observations and locals to watch.

PHILADELPHIA — It’s a once-in-a-generation artifact that rings strikingly relevant: a Civil War battle flag carried by a Philadelphia regiment of Black soldiers — and hand-painted by David Bustill Bowser, the son of a fugitive slave and Philadelphia’s most acclaimed 19th-century Black artist.

The two stars got into it early in tonight’s huge game in Philly, and Bron loved it.

PHILADELPHIA — Ben Simmons arrived at a quiet Wells Fargo Center Thursday morning for shootaround with his new team. When he returns a few hours later, the atmosphere inside that building will surely be much more emotionally charged.

NEW YORK — Kevin Durant says Nets vs. 76ers isn’t a rivalry — even though his former co-star James Harden forced a trade from Brooklyn to Philly less than a month ago.

JD Shaw: The Nets have officially ruled out Ben Simmons (return to competition reconditioning/back soreness) for Thursday's game against the Sixers in Philadelphia. Source: Twitter @JShawNBA What's the buzz on Twitter? JD Shaw @ JShawNBA The Nets ...

The Nets forward was asked whether he’s given Ben Simmons advice ahead of his Philly return, and he responded saying he wouldn’t ‘hold his hand.’

PHILADELHPIA —They were a collective of Philadelphia writers — teachers, students, newcomers to Black literary circles, others well-acquainted with rising stars from Harlem’s artistic milieu. They decided to put out a literary journal themselves. They’d call it Black Opals.

Thursday evening's Sixers-Nets meeting is one of the most anticipated games in South Philly in recent memory, a spectacle with battles within battles within battles. There's Kevin Durant vs. Joel Embiid, James Harden vs. his former teammates, and ...

NEW YORK — If Ben Simmons needs advice on how to deal with animosity from the fanbase of his previous team, all he needs to do is seek out No. 11.

Give Ben Simmons credit. He at least seems to understand how bad he looks. How else should we interpret Monday’s report that the Sixers’ onetime franchise cornerstone plans to accompany his new teammates on their scheduled trip to the Wells Fargo Center this Thursday?