Bill Simmons has still got his fastball.
Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia decided to call out The Ringer CEO Simmons in a post to X on Wednesday. Ishbia noted that the Suns had just won their 32nd game, putting them over Simmons’ preseason prediction of 31.5 wins for Phoenix this season.
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
Simmons fired back at Ishbia shortly thereafter. He gave credit to Ishbia and the Suns for their impressive season but also got in a cold shot at the billionaire owner.
“For the record — I picked the Suns to win 50+ games last season and never heard a peep from you when you went 36-46,” said Simmons. “So I was wrong twice.”
Congratulations on a very good season so far. I’ve enjoyed watching you guys and think you picked a terrific coach. Fun league pass team,
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 11, 2026
For the record — I picked the Suns to win 50+ games last season and never heard a peep from you when you went 36-46. So I was wrong twice.
Phoenix was a very disappointing team last season, failing to even make the NBA play-in tournament despite having a star-studded Big Three of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal. This season however, the Suns have surrounded Booker with defenders, shooters, and other quality depth pieces instead, which has resulted in their 32-22 record (seventh in the Western Conference).
Meanwhile, Ishbia and Simmons already have plenty of history. Even before the 2025-26 season began, Ishbia publicly ripped Simmons over The Ringer’s predictions about the Suns.
