Mat Ishbia: Tanking is ‘ridiculous’ and needs to be fixed by NBA
As tanking in the NBA is at an all-time high, Suns owner Mat Ishbia made his feelings on the topic clear.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 06: Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury owner Mat Ishbia, attends the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on November 06, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Clippers 115-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia made his feelings clear Thursday on the tanking going on around the NBA.
Ishbia reposted a Yahoo Sports story written about the league commissioner Adam Silver’s recent comments on tanking this season, calling it “ridiculous.”
“Tanking is losing behavior done by losers,” Ishbia wrote on X. “Purposely losing is something nobody should want to be associated with. Embarrassing for the league and for the organizations.”
His strong words were responding to a pair of fines the NBA handed out to the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers last week for limiting star players’ minutes or holding them out of games entirely.
How has tanking affected the NBA?
The Jazz were fined $50,000 for “conduct detrimental to the league” when they removed Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. from games against the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat before the fourth quarter, even though they could have returned.
The Pacers were fined $100,000 for not playing or reducing the minutes of Pascal Siakam and two other starters, which violated the NBA’s “player participation policy.”
“Overt behavior like this that prioritizes draft position over winning undermines the foundation of NBA competition and we will respond accordingly to any further actions that compromise the integrity of our games,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. “Additionally, we are working with our Competition Committee and Board of Governors to implement further measures to root out this type of conduct.”
The Pacers and Jazz have two of the six worst records in the NBA and are in contention for a top-four pick in the 2026 NBA draft.
Ishbia said it makes sense for a bad team to get a good pick but it’s not right for teams to intentionally shut down players and lose games.
“This is much worse than any prop bet scandal. This is throwing games strategically,” Ishbia continued. “Horrible for fans that pay to watch and cheer on their team. And horrible for all the real teams that are competing for playoff spots.”
Ishbia added that he’s confident Silver will do what’s needed to stop the tanking in the league.
“Those of us in a position of influence need to speak out… the only ‘strategy’ is doing right by fans, players and the NBA community,” Ishbia wrote.
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Comments
7 Comments
I think Ishbia has done a lot for the fan experience and I respect him a ton for that. Having said that if the Suns had their picks and a chance at a generational talent you better believe they would tank, it would be malpractice not to.
When a team has no 1st round draft picks, tanking is "ridiculous."
How any team could be fined before head coach Doug Christie and the Sacramento Kings is beyond me!
Had a great respect for Doug Christie as a player, that has all evaporated after watching him rig games. Strong accusation that I don't take lightly but when I saw how many more Sacramento fans are saying the same thing, I knew then my instincts correct on this one.
Simply FOUL!