🏀 It’s official, y’all | Sports Daily Newsletter

In a very unorthodox, yet surprisingly authentic way, Sixers newcomer Jaylen Brown got treated to Philly on Thursday. Instead of the Sixers facility or even Xfinity Mobile Arena, Brown held his press conference at an inner-city recreation center with spotty Wi-Fi, answered questions, met a few fans, and later threw out the first pitch at the Phillies game.

Our coverage of Brown’s big day captured:

• His intent in a Philly uniform and the relationship he wants to have with fans,
• How ‘winning is the agenda’ when it comes to his plan with the Sixers, and …
• Five additional key takeaways from his introduction to fans and media alike.

Scattered showers are in the forecast, but I said that yesterday and it was light. We’re looking at some really steamy days coming up, so make sure you hydrate and stay cool, especially if you’re headed to the Phillies’ series against Toronto this weekend.

Speaking of the Phillies, hopefully they decide to bring this guy back.

— Kerith Gabriel, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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Crawford’s new teacher

Phillies rookie center fielder Justin Crawford has made it a habit to ask his veteran teammates for advice throughout the season. In new second baseman Luis Arraez, he might have the ideal hitter to learn from. And that’s just what he did on Wednesday.

Arraez, with his ability to spray the ball all over the field and his penchant for singles, might be more similar to Crawford than anyone else on the team. Both lefties hit for average, don’t swing and miss a lot, and have the ability to manufacture runs. Power is not a main feature of either of their games.

Crawford knows there is a lot he can learn from his new teammate.

The Phillies collected 16 hits en route to a 7-3 win over the Nationals for their second consecutive series win.

Next: The Phillies open a series against Toronto at 6:40 tonight (NBCSP). Before the game they will induct Chase Utley into the Wall of Fame.

What we’re …

🎙️ Watching: This band who broadcasts pickup kickball games from their apartment window in Kensington.

⚽ Sharing: European federations are standing firm, wanting Gianni Infantino out as FIFA president, and are preparing to boycott FIFA-sanctioned events.

⚾ Wondering: How Andrew Painter and Derek Hill are holding up after leaving Wednesday’s Phillies game against the Nationals.

🗞️ Reading: This tribute to St. Joseph’s and Philly sports super fan Chris DiJulia.

Early look at the Eagles nest

As the Eagles continue to grind through the second week of training camp ahead of the 2026-27 season, there’s been a good enough sample size to discuss. How’s Jalen Hurts looking? What about his targets? Is the defense elite?

All of those questions and more are dissected in the latest edition of unCovering the Birds podcast with Jeff McLane, who also welcomes Inquirer colleague Jeff Neiburg on to run down the gauntlet. Listen to the latest edition right here … or wherever you get your podcasts.

Do ‘what you love’

Derrick Morton-Rivera had little choice but to “fall in love” with basketball. He was always around it. His father, D.J. Rivera, had Derrick while he was a sophomore at St. Joseph’s and other stops of his college career at Binghamton University and the University of Montevallo in Alabama.

Hank Gathers is his dad’s late uncle. Yes, the same Gathers, who starred at Loyola Marymount and was the NCAA’s scoring champion and rebounding leader in 1989. The Riveras are also staples of the Danny Rumph Classic, which tipped off yesterday. Inquirer writer Isabella DiAmore caught up with both to talk about being a part of Philly’s basketball fabric.

She’s kind of a big deal …

If there’s one Philly-area athlete to know this week, it’s Schwenksville native Ashley Sessa. When it comes to field hockey, she’s kind of a big deal, as Sessa, 22, won a national championship as a freshman at North Carolina in 2022, transferred to Northwestern, where she helped lead the Wildcats to back-to-back national titles in 2024 and 2025.

Now, she’s a member of Team USA and will look to be a big part of the Americans’ quest to win the women’s International Hockey Federation World Cup beginning Aug. 14. Inquirer writer Owen Hewitt caught up with Sessa on her ascension up the sport’s ladder.

On this date

Aug. 7, 2024: Kyle Schwarber tied his previous career high in single-game home runs (3) and RBIs (7), fueling a 9-4 road win for the Phillies against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He hit four home runs in a game against the Braves last year.

Mike Sielski’s take …

“It is easy and of course correct to lament that youth and high school sports too often have taken on an outsized and inappropriate importance for too many coaches and parents and athletes. But one of sports’ greatest benefits to young people is that it gives them a stake in something bigger than themselves, a stake in something that matters to them; they learn to develop and modify actions and habits to preserve sports’ place in their lives.” — Mike Sielski’s latest looks at what’s lost in the Cheltenham football investigation that is so much more than a season.

What you’re saying about sports curses

We asked: Do you believe that curses in sports are real?

No, I don’t believe in any myths and superstitions, and curses in sports such as the Curse of the Bambino, etc. Or maybe even the curse of Alvarado. These are things dreamed up by sports writers that make for fun reading and, in the case of the Red Sox, for instance, years of fun and having an excuse for not being able to overcome the mighty Yankees until they finally did. — Everett S.

I used to. I used to think that there was a time that Boston had us on lock and I didn’t know what was going on. The Flyers couldn’t beat the Bruins, the Sixers couldn’t beat the Celtics, the Eagles couldn’t beat Brady and the Patriots. But then 2018 happened and getting that Super Bowl against the Pats, and it felt like that Boston weight just lifted. We’re the captains now. Haha. Great question. No curses. Not here in Philly. Not anymore. — Jeff K.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Gina Mizell, Gabriela Carroll, Alex Coffey, Isabella DiAmore, Owen Hewitt, Mike Sielski, Lochlahn March, Scott Lauber, Ariel Simpson, Jeff McLane, and Jeff Neiburg.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

That’s it for this week. We’ll be back in your inbox on Monday. Enjoy your weekend. — Kerith