• Drake placed $800,000 in bets on the Thunder to win Game 6 and by 6-10 points but lost both as the Pacers won by 17 points.
• The Pacers’ dominant win forced a decisive Game 7, keeping their championship hopes alive despite being underdogs.
• Drake’s loss adds to his recent betting struggles, highlighting the risks even celebrities face in high-stakes sports gambling.

Drake put down two massive bets totaling $800,000 on the Oklahoma City Thunder to win Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals. He wagered $600,000 on the Thunder to take the game outright and another \$200,000 on them to win by a margin of 6 to 10 points. But the Indiana Pacers had other plans.

Instead of a Thunder victory, the Pacers crushed their opponents with a commanding 108-91 win—a 17-point blowout that wiped out both of Drake’s bets. The result forced a dramatic Game 7 to decide the series, leaving the rapper on the losing end of a hefty gamble.

Drake, never one to shy away from sharing his sports enthusiasm, revealed the losses on Instagram. Tagging Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, he posted the bets alongside a playful caption: “Check that box.” The message captured the sting of his defeat but also his good humor about the unexpected outcome.

Betting Big on Thunder Comes With Risks

Drake’s gamble wasn’t a small one by any stretch. Two separate bets with a combined $800,000 stake showed his confidence in Oklahoma City, who were favored heading into Game 6. Had the Thunder won by the expected margin, Drake stood to earn up to \$1.7 million.

Instead, the Pacers — who entered the game as 6.5-point underdogs — stunned fans and bettors alike by dominating on both ends of the floor. Their 17-point victory marked one of the most decisive wins in this tense series and proved just how unpredictable sports betting can be, even for the most confident bettors.

The “Drake Curse” Strikes Again

This isn’t the first time Drake’s high-stakes bets have drawn attention for going sideways. In 2024, he lost more than \$500,000 wagering on the Dallas Mavericks to beat the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. His betting woes extended to boxing as well, with a \$565,000 loss on Tyson Fury’s fight against Oleksandr Usyk.

Still, it hasn’t all been defeat for the hip-hop star. Back in 2023, he made a smart call by backing the Denver Nuggets to overcome the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals, earning himself \$830,000. But recent months have proven brutal for Drake’s betting streak.

On June 18, the 38-year-old posted a candid Instagram message revealing nearly \$8 million in losses accumulated over just a few weeks. “Gotta share the other side of gambling,” he wrote. The post offered a rare glimpse into the harsh realities behind high-profile sports betting, even for a celebrity like Drake.

Pacers’ Victory Keeps Championship Hopes Alive

The Pacers’ Game 6 win wasn’t just a blow to Drake’s betting bankroll—it also shook up the entire NBA Finals landscape. Indiana’s 17-point triumph forced a winner-takes-all Game 7 on June 22, where the stakes could not be higher.

Despite the win, Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton remained cautious, warning his team against getting carried away by hype. “The narratives are going to be almost poison,” he said. “We have to control what we can. It’s about physicality, taking care of the ball, and rebounding. We did our job to protect home court, but Game 7 is a different challenge.”

The Public Reacts to Drake’s Loss and Pacers’ Surge

News of Drake’s staggering \$800,000 loss quickly spread across social media. Some fans admired his boldness, applauding the rapper for putting his money where his mouth is. Others, however, joked about the so-called “Drake Curse” that seems to follow his betting choices, turning his misfortune into memes and viral posts.

Meanwhile, Indiana’s supporters celebrated their team’s stunning underdog victory with fervor, rallying behind the historic chance to claim their first NBA title in decades. The Pacers’ resilience has turned many doubters into believers, setting up an epic showdown that promises drama and excitement.

Game 7: All to Play For

With the series tied, Game 7 promises a thrilling finale. The Thunder enter as underdogs despite their favored status just days ago, while the Pacers look to cap off a remarkable playoff run that has rewritten NBA history books.

For Drake, the next game might be another chance to recover his losses—or risk sinking even deeper into the costly world of sports betting. One thing is certain: in this finals series, fortunes will rise and fall in dramatic fashion—and no one, not even a global superstar, is safe from the unpredictable nature of the game.