NBA legend Kevin Durant has left fans stunned after sparking a heated social media spat with Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia.
The two-time NBA champion took to social media on Saturday to fire back at the American billionaire following comments regarding Durant’s stint in Phoenix.
During an interview with CNBC Sports, Ishbia said that he ‘threw money at the problem’ when dealing for Durant in 2023.
‘There was not a defined culture and north star where we were going and therefore bringing in super-talented players like Kevin Durant doesn’t necessarily lead to championships.’
Evidently, Durant did not take kindly to Ishbia’s remarks and made his feelings clear with a fiery response on social media on Saturday.
Taking to X, he wrote: ‘#blameKD even though KD stayed on top of his game at 36 and got u back this ‘culture’ you love so much.
Kevin Durant stunned fans after sparking a social media spat with Suns owner Mat Ishbia
The two-time NBA champion took to social media on Saturday to fire back at American billionaire Ishbia following comments regarding Durant’s stint in Phoenix
‘Aye, Matthew acts like I got arrested for a DUI or sumn [sic],’ he continued.
Ishbia wasted no time in firing back at the 16-time All-Star, writing: ‘You obviously didn’t watch the clip [laughing emojis].
‘Didn’t blame you @Kdtrey5, but am happy with the culture we are building here in Phoenix. We got the right guys and right focus now and are excited for this season.
‘Good luck this season in Houston’, the United Wholesale Mortgage CEO wrote.
However, Durant quickly fired back: ‘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.’
The 38-year-old appeared to reference the fact that the Suns are still paying former guard Bradley Beal around $19.4 million-a-year, despite the fact that he now plays for the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Suns used the waive-and-stretch provision on Beal’s huge contract following a buyout in July 2025, which stretched the payment structure through until 2030.
Which means, after Beal signed with the Clippers, Phoenix continues to pay him millions despite him playing for a league rival.
