Kevin Durant, Mat Ishbia trade bars on social media over shared time with Suns originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Kevin Durant era with the Phoenix Suns did not go as planned, with the Suns failing to make a deep playoff run during that time. Even though Durant now plays for the Houston Rockets, he and Suns owner Mat Ishbia still have some bad blood.
On Saturday, Durant and Ishbia exchanged a war of words, appearing to disagree on Durant’s impact on the team. While Ishbia seems happier now with Durant off the team, Durant believes he was not the reason why Phoenix couldn’t succeed.
Durant has never been afraid to speak his mind, while Ishbia has been one of the more outspoken owners in the NBA since he took over the Suns. So, it was only a matter of time before these two got into a public beef.
Here’s how Durant and Ishbia went after each other on social media.
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Kevin Durant-Mat Ishbia Beef
Ahead of the NBA season, Suns owner Mat Ishbia and Rockets forward Kevin Durant traded bars over their time together in Phoenix. That started with Ishbia, who told CNBC that his decision to trade for Durant was not the right decision in the moment.
“I kind of just threw money at the problem,” Ishbia said. “Bringing in super talented players like Kevin Durant doesn’t necessarily lead to championships.”
Durant, however, was not going to let that stand. On social media, Durant attacked Ishbia for blaming him despite him being one of the team’s best players in his time on the Suns.
“Matthew acts like I got arrested for a DUI or [something],” Durant said.
#blameKD even though KD stayed on top of his game at 36 and got u back this “culture” you love so much. Aye, Matthew acts like I got arrested for a DUI or sumn. Back to threads 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) October 17, 2026
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Ishbia decided to respond himself, trying to calm the situation a bit. The Suns owner wished Durant luck this season while saying he likes the direction of the Suns team this year.
“Didn’t blame you…but am happy with the culture we are building here in Phoenix,” Ishbia. “We got the right guys and right focus now and are excited for this season. Good luck this season in Houston.”
Still, Durant defended himself once again, claiming that Ishbia should be grateful that Durant agreed to a trade to the Rockets.
“[You] should be giving thanks every chance [you] get,” he said. “You don’t have to pay me an absurd amount of money to play for another team.”
U should be giving Thanks every chance u get. You don’t have to pay me an absurd amount of money to play for another team.
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) October 17, 2026
The Rockets and Suns play three times this year, with the first matchup coming on November 7 in Phoenix. Durant may be a little motivated every time he plays his former team this season.
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