Jay-Z just found himself on the wrong side of a high-stakes NBA Finals bet after the Indiana Pacers pulled off a major win against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3. The rap mogul reportedly placed a hefty $1 million wager on the Thunder to take down the Pacers in five games, according to TMZ Sports, with the bet made through Fanatics Sportsbook.
Here’s the thing. Jay-Z helped Michael Rubin launch Fanatics Sportsbook in 2023, so in a roundabout way, this L may still turn into a W down the line.
That prediction has already unraveled. The Pacers took Game 1 on the road and doubled down with a 116-107 victory on their home floor in Game 3 this past Wednesday. With two wins under Indiana’s belt, Jay-Z’s original bet is now off the table entirely.
A standout team performance powered Indiana’s Game 3 win. Bennedict Mathurin dropped 27 points, Tyrese Haliburton came within one rebound of a 20-point triple-double, and Pascal Siakam added 21 points of his own. The Thunder had previously claimed Game 2 with a convincing 16-point margin, but the Pacers have proven they are not backing down.
Jay-Z’s basketball instincts might have missed this time, but in the bigger picture, the bet is just pocket change. Still, it is a reminder that even billionaires can take a loss when the game clock runs out.