"Looks frighteningly like the Zodiac killer": NBA fans pile on as Mat Ishbia's dejected look mirrors Suns' frustration after blowout loss

The Phoenix Suns had a 126-109 blowout loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3, leaving them facing a 3-0 series deficit. The loss was particularly deflating for Suns fans and team owner Mat Ishbia, who watched from the sidelines with a dejected expression.

Fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their disappointment.

"Ishbia looks frighteningly like the *maybe* Zodiac killer…Phoenix isn’t too far from southern California," wrote one viewer.

"A completely hands on owner never ends well," another fan wrote.

He’s thinking “I paid how much for this sweep?” a fan wrote.

Ishbia, a former college basketball player, sat courtside with a look of sheer disappointment. Some fans were vocal in their criticism of the team's ownership and front office.

"Using money to pave your way to success will only get you so far," a fan commented.

"Buddy played a couple games with a bunch of venture capital dorks and thought he could find success as a franchise owner," another fan wrote.

"A completely hands on owner never ends well," one fan said

Last offseason, he orchestrated a blockbuster trade, bringing Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns to form a fearsome "Big 3" alongside Devin Booker. This move sent shockwaves through the league and reignited championship hopes in the "Valley of the Sun."

Suns head coach Frank Vogel remains optimistic after Game 3 loss

The Phoenix Suns' playoff struggles worsened on Friday. They fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves 126–109 in Game 3 of their first-round Western Conference series.

Head coach Frank Vogel also faced scrutiny for his handling of the team during this critical stretch. Despite the loss, he remains optimistic about his team's chances for a comeback against the Timberwolves, saying:

"It's an opportunity for us to do something that's never been done before, and we're gonna embrace that. There's no quit in our group. ... You're playing for pride," Vogel said to the media after the Game 3.

The Timberwolves, led by the dynamic duo of Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, dominated on the glass and outrebounded the Suns 50-28. Minnesota's size advantage was a major factor in their victory. As the Suns head into Game 4 on Monday, the pressure will be on Vogel. A loss would get them swept.