© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
PHOENIX – In today’s NBA, owners rarely step into the arena of public debate. Although Phoenix Suns Owner Mat Ishbia does just that, and he keeps receipts. After longtime sports analyst and The Ringer insider Bill Simmons projected the Suns to win 31.5 games this season, Ishbia didn’t fire back immediately. He waited, and then when Phoenix reached 32 wins before the All-Star break, his message was delivered.
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Jan 29, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia against the Detroit Pistons in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Suns Owner Mat Ishbia responds to Bill Simmons’ win projections:
32 wins for the Suns and all before the All-Star break… think that puts us above your season prediction/bet of under 31.5 wins @BillSimmons! 👀 You guys usually have great content and good stuff… thanks for all you do. But also keep your eye on the Suns, like I told you… we…
— Mat Ishbia (@Mishbia15) February 11, 2026
On the surface, it’s a subtle check of the resume moment. Dig deeper, and it reflects something more strategic. Projected win totals are theories built on roster continuity, injury projections, and prior efficiency metrics. Phoenix entered the season with skepticism around chemistry, depth, and defensive consistency, and has answered every question so far that has been thrown at them. Surpassing that number early suggests internal stability has outpaced external doubt.
Mercury owner Mat Ishbia announces the Ring of Honor proceedings during the home opener at the Footprint Center on Saturday, May 18, 2024. © Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
For Suns fans, this isn’t about sparring with a media personality. It’s about validation. The franchise has cycled through turbulence in recent seasons with coaching turnover, playoff disappointment, and roster reshuffling. When Ishbia says the culture is different, he’s signaling a recalibration of accountability, urgency, and belief in long-term structure rather than quick fixes.
Nov 6, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Clearing preseason projections before the break typically places a team on track to secure playoff positioning in the Western Conference. But Ishbia’s follow-up matters just as much. He acknowledged there is “a long way to go.” That balance of confidence without complacency defines sustainable contenders. Nationally, it reframes Phoenix from a volatile experiment to a stabilizing force. Locally, it energizes a fan base that has wanted alignment from ownership down. Culture isn’t declared in press conferences; it’s measured against expectations. Ishbia is celebrating the present and the progress, and is reminding critics to keep watching.
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
