Suns Owner Ishbia Slams 'Loser Behavior' of NBA Tanking

Phoenix Suns owner calls tanking 'ridiculous' and 'a disgrace' that impacts league integrity.

Feb. 25, 2026 at 4:31pm

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Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia has strongly criticized the practice of tanking in the NBA, calling it "loser behavior done by losers" and "much worse than any prop bet scandal." Ishbia, who took over the Suns last year, said purposely losing games to get a better draft pick is "horrible for fans" and "impacts the integrity of the whole league." He contrasted the Suns' approach of trading for stars like Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal to try to win now, rather than tanking and rebuilding.

Why it matters

Ishbia's comments add to the growing criticism of tanking from NBA executives, media, and fans who believe the practice undermines the integrity of the league. As a new owner, Ishbia is taking a firm stance against tanking and signaling that the Suns will continue to be aggressive in trying to build a contender rather than intentionally losing games.

The details

In a series of tweets, Ishbia called tanking "ridiculous" and said "purposely shutting down players and purposely losing games is a disgrace." He equated it to "throwing games strategically" and said it's "worse than any prop bet scandal." Since taking over the Suns, Ishbia has orchestrated trades for stars like Durant and Beal, doubling down on winning now rather than rebuilding through the draft. The Suns are currently 32-23 and in the playoff picture in the Western Conference.

  • Ishbia took to his X account on February 19, 2026 to criticize tanking in the NBA.

The players

Mat Ishbia

The owner of the Phoenix Suns who has been outspoken against the practice of tanking in the NBA.

Kevin Durant

A star player who was traded to the Phoenix Suns by Ishbia in an effort to build a contender.

Bradley Beal

Another star player acquired by Ishbia and the Suns in a trade as they look to build a championship-caliber roster.

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What they’re saying

“This is ridiculous! Tanking is losing behavior done by losers. Purposely losing is something nobody should want to be associated with. Embarrassing for the league and for the organizations. And the talk about this as a 'strategy' is ridiculous.”

— Mat Ishbia, Phoenix Suns Owner

“This is much worse than any prop bet scandal. This is throwing games strategically. 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.”

— Mat Ishbia, Phoenix Suns Owner

What’s next

The Suns will face the Spurs and Victor Wembanyama on February 19, 2026, as they continue their push for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The takeaway

Ishbia's strong stance against tanking in the NBA reflects a growing sentiment among league figures that the practice undermines the integrity of the game. As a new owner, Ishbia is signaling that the Suns will continue to be aggressive in building a contender through trades for star players rather than intentionally losing games to improve their draft position.