Jay-Z’s pockets might be feeling a bit lighter after Wednesday night (June 11). Hov’s $1 million bet on the Oklahoma City Thunder to defeat the Indiana Pacers in exactly five games officially became a loss after the Pacers’ game three victory to take a 2-1 lead in the 2025 NBA Finals.
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The Brooklyn icon essentially bet that the Thunder would win the series 4-1, but with Indiana’s 116-107 victory on Wednesday night, that is no longer a possibility. It was an unlikely hero in game three, with Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin leading the way with 27 points off the bench in the win.
OKC came into the series as heavy favorites and were 5.5-point favorites heading into game three. Even with the defeat, the Thunder remain the favorite to lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy when the NBA Finals are set and done.
NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder’s backs are against the wall with game four slated for Friday night (June 13) in Indiana.
If the Thunder did win the Finals in five games, Jay would’ve profited $2.3 million with his bet, but that won’t be the case for the rap mogul. The wager was made with Fanatics Sportsbook, which Jay-Z co-founded with Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin in 2023.
Outside of sports betting, Jay is looking to become a force in the gambling sector. He’s part of Roc Nation’s bid to bring a casino to New York City. As part of the SL Green and Caesar Entertainment bid for a full-scale casino in Times Square, they’re also promising to invest $15 million into the NYC community.
“We are New Yorkers,” Jay-Z said in a statement in 2024. “Supporting and providing opportunities for our neighborhoods and community isn’t just a part of Roc Nation’s ethos; it’s our collective responsibility.”
Tune in to ABC for game four of the NBA Finals at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday night.