Suns owner Mat Ishbia challenges Bill Simmons to bet about defense

Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia stood up for his team on X, challenging a hot take from NBA analyst Bill Simmons about the team's defense.

BY CHARACTER COUNTS

Oct 21, 2025, 8:20 PM Updated: Oct 22, 2025, 11:56 am

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Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia stood up for his team on X, challenging a hot take from NBA analyst Bill Simmons who thinks the Suns will have the worst defense in the NBA this year.

The billionaire Ishbia said he would match Simmons dollar for dollar if his prediction comes true, challenging the writer to put his money where his mouth is.

To be fair — this was from a Ringer piece called “Increasingly Bold Predictions.” My only Suns pick was UNDER 31.5 wins just FYI. Happy to wager on that. But you’re an NBA owner and… um…. you’re not allowed to bet? Maybe we should just bet Aspiration stock.

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) October 22, 2025

The Suns roster went through a massive overhaul this season with the majority of the starting lineup changed and new key players added to the rotation.

Ishbia is no stranger to making generous contributions to charity.

He donated $32 million to Michigan State in 2021 and made an additional pledge of $14 million in 2022.

He also donated $2 million to The V Foundation in 2021.

Ishbia has done ticket giveaways on X, handing out nine pairs of tickets for a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2023.