The Phoenix Suns wrapped up a frustrating 2024–25 season with a 36-46 record, missing the playoffs entirely, and tensions are spilling off the court as well. One of the season’s loudest critics, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, has made his feelings known all year long, and now Suns owner Mat Ishbia is firing back.
Stephen A., known for his unfiltered takes on First Take, didn’t hold back on the Suns’ underwhelming season. He even went as far as calling Ishbia a candidate for “worst owner in basketball history.” That comparison clearly struck a nerve.
During the Suns’ post-season press conference, Ishbia addressed the criticism head-on.
“I think he’ll apologize to me,” Ishbia said. “It’s disrespectful to put my name alongside anybody who was kicked out of the league.”
Mat Ishbia said doesn’t think people take Stephen A. Smith seriously when asked about him saying he’s on the verge of becoming the worst owner in the history of basketball.
Added that he thinks Smith will apologize for putting him in the same category as Donald Sterling. #Suns pic.twitter.com/tnablKsJcC
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 17, 2025
He was referring to Smith previously comparing him to disgraced former Clippers owner Donald Sterling, who was banned for life after making racist remarks.
Ishbia continued, “I don’t take much he says seriously. I don’t think many people do, to be honest with you. The things he said about Kevin Durant—just wrong and disrespectful. The things he said about LeBron James—disrespectful and inappropriate.”
Firsttake 090922 Es04
But if Ishbia’s expecting an apology, he shouldn’t hold his breath.
Stephen A. Smith hits back at Mat Ishbia following the Suns’ post-season presser
Stephen A. wasted no time clapping back on X (formerly Twitter), teasing a full response during Friday’s First Take.
“I look forward to responding to this on @FirstTake tomorrow morning,” Smith wrote. “I love how folks intentionally misconstrue just to avoid the real subject at hand… what I was really saying. But that’s okay! I look very much forward to providing clarification. My pleasure. See y’all in the morning!”
I look forward to responding to this on @FirstTake tomorrow morning. I love how folks intentionally misconstrue just to avoid the real subject at hand….what I was really saying. But that’s okay! I look very much forward to providing clarification. My pleasure. See y’all in the… https://t.co/xcXY29zi5S
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) April 17, 2025
Espn First Take Benson04
The tension between Smith and Ishbia adds another layer of drama to a Suns team already under scrutiny for falling short of expectations despite having stars like Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal.
With Smith promising to “clarify” his comments and Ishbia drawing a hard line, all eyes will be on First Take to see just how far this feud goes.
One thing’s for sure—Stephen A. isn’t backing down.
For more sports content:
Follow us @HardwoodHeroics for your NBA and college basketball reading fix. You can reach out to Dan Agulto through email at [email protected]. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest sports news, click here!
Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.
