The Love Is Blind Season 9 reunion brought the Denver cast back together, and for former couple Kacie McIntosh and Patrick Suzuki, it was time to resolve a lingering issue: who would keep the engagement ring. In a surprising turn of events, the dispute was settled not with more arguments, but with a basketball shoot-out refereed by NBA star Chris Paul.
The Ring Dispute Takes Center Stage
At the reunion, which aired on October 29, 2025, Kacie and Patrick revisited their abrupt breakup, which occurred just hours after they met face-to-face for the first time. Kacie became emotional, explaining that her decision to leave the experiment was an attempt to protect Patrick and that watching it back “broke my heart”. She stated, “I wanted to protect you. I know nobody’s gonna view it that way, but I went through this with you”.
The conversation quickly turned to the engagement ring. Kacie insisted that Patrick had told her she could keep it during their final conversation in the hotel lobby. Patrick clarified his position, saying, “I said you could keep it because I thought we were gonna go back to Denver and try”. He explained that he only asked for the ring back after he realized Kacie was not being honest about her feelings and their relationship was truly over.
An Unusual Solution: Basketball for the Ring
Hosts Nick and Vanessa Lachey noted that the couple had bonded over basketball during their pod dates, where Kacie had significantly outperformed Patrick. They proposed a playful way to resolve the issue: a basketball shoot-off.
The segment took an unexpected turn when LA Clippers player Chris Paul, a self-professed fan of the show, made a surprise appearance to referee the game. He raised the stakes by declaring that the winner of the competition would keep the disputed engagement ring.
After several rounds, Kacie emerged victorious, proving her skills on the court once again. True to their agreement, Patrick, who showed good sportsmanship, let her take the ring back.
How Fans Reacted to the Unconventional Segment
The basketball segment received strong reactions from viewers, though many were not positive. Fans took to social media to express that they felt the stunt was a waste of precious reunion air time.
One viewer commented, “Why am I watching these folks play basketball? I could turn on ESPN for all this”. Another questioned the logic of the segment, posting, “Now Netflix WHY are we watching Kacie beat Patrick in basketball after everything you already put him through?”
Many fans felt the reunion should have focused on the serious emotional dynamics between the cast members rather than what they saw as a gimmicky game.
Behind the Scenes of the Ring Drama
The engagement ring at the center of the conflict has its own interesting backstory. According to the show’s creator, Chris Coelen, Love Is Blind production provides the engagement rings, which typically cost between $3,500 and $5,000. Contestants are not required to give the rings back if the relationship ends, as the rings become their property.
This context adds a layer to Patrick’s frustration, as it was unlikely he personally paid for the ring Kacie initially kept. Before the reunion, Patrick had even posted a video on social media lip-syncing to Drake’s lyrics, “Just mail me my ring back, can’t keep that sh*t,” showing how the situation bothered him.
More Than Just a Game: Other Reunion Revelations
The reunion was filled with other significant updates from the Denver cast. Megan Walerius, known as “Sparkle Megan,” announced she had welcomed a baby boy named Brooks with her new partner, Paul. This was a stark contrast to her time on the show, where she questioned her readiness for motherhood while dating single dad Jordan Keltner.
Another revelation involved Kacie’s post-show dating life. It was confirmed that she briefly dated fellow contestant Joe Ferrucci after his engagement to Madison Maidenberg ended. Madison suggested this connection played a role in her breakup with Joe, a claim both Joe and Kacie denied.
Nick Amato also addressed accusations of “love-bombing” both Kait Nemunaitis and his former fiancée, Annie Lancaster, in the pods, offering them an apology for his behavior.
Also Read: Love Is Blind Reunion: Sparkle Megan Reveals Baby Boy and Introduces Father Paul
