Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia minced no words when he slammed a social media post projecting the team’s NBA 2025-26 season standings taking a nosedive.
The new-look Suns will be without Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. Instead, they now have Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and Mark Williams in their fold alongside superstar Devin Booker. Beal joined the Los Angeles Clippers, while two-time NBA champion Durant found a new home in the Houston Rockets.
Did Mat Ishbia Slam A Post Claiming Suns Will ‘Take A Tumble’ This Upcoming Season?
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Ishbia blasted the post for its claim. “I’m not worried about what the so-called experts think,” the Suns owner said. “They had us as a title contender the past two years and were wrong then. We’re focused on making our fans proud by playing great as a team and building a brand of basketball that’s tough and gritty.”
I’m not worried about what the so-called experts think. They had us as a title contender the past two years and were wrong then. We’re focused on making our fans proud by playing great as a team and building a brand of basketball that’s tough and gritty. https://t.co/o9ysQlxW6r
— Mat Ishbia (@Mishbia15) August 27, 2025
Earlier, Ishbia projected confidence when he stated that his team could compete in the West. According to Arizona Sports, “What I expect is we’re gonna be competitive, a team that you’re gonna be proud of, and we’re gonna be building,” Ishbia said. “Over the next couple of years, you’re gonna see us follow that same Phoenix Mercury path to be competing for a championship, playing hard. Everyone’s gonna rally around these guys, and I’m excited about it.”
Ishbia’s comments come on the back of Phoenix breaking up their ‘Big 3’ of Booker, Beal, and Durant. Their offseason moves saw them generate a lot of flak with analysts doubting the team’s ability to make a deeper run. While they have a potential-laden roster, the loaded Western Conference makes it challenging for them this season.
While they do have the likes of Brooks and Williams, who can make a difference defensively, they do appear to lack the necessary firepower outside of Booker and Green to push them to the playoffs and beyond.
ESPN’s predicted standings made headlines for putting the Suns out of playoff contention with a 30-52 record. The bottom five also included the Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans, and the Portland Trail Blazers.
While Ishbia seems confident that his team’s ‘gritty’ approach will hold them in good stead, only time will tell if the rebuilding Suns can make some noise in the West with a strong start.
