Music mogul Jay-Z made headlines off the court during the NBA Finals, but not for a hit single or a surprise appearance.
Instead, it was a high-stakes bet – reportedly worth $1 million – that went up in smoke after the Indiana Pacers outplayed the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3.
Jay-Z had wagered that the Thunder would clinch the championship in just five games, a bold call that would’ve earned him $3.3 million through Fanatics Sportsbook, a platform he helped launch.
That prediction was shattered Wednesday night as Indiana grabbed a gritty 116-107 win at home to take a 2-1 series lead.
Though the financial hit barely dents Jay-Z‘s estimated $2.5 billion fortune, the moment has gone viral, drawing attention to the growing intersection of celebrity and sports betting culture.
But while fans buzzed over the failed wager, the real story unfolded on the hardwood.
Pacers seize control with elite defense
The Pacers entered Game 3 needing a statement, and they delivered in the final 12 minutes. They held the Thunder to just 18 points on 24 possessions, the lowest-scoring quarter for either team in this year’s Finals.
Myles Turner, Indiana’s defensive anchor, tied his playoff career high with five blocks-none bigger than his rejection of Chet Holmgren‘s deep three attempt with under two minutes to play.
Turner wasn’t alone. Aaron Nesmith turned in perhaps his finest defensive possession of the postseason when he fought through multiple Holmgren screens to contain Jalen Williams, eventually forcing a turnover with help from Pascal Siakam.
“He’s the unsung hero,” said Siakam postgame. “Plays like that don’t show up in the box score, but they change games.”
The Pacers also forced 13 live-ball turnovers, their highest total in a Finals game this season.
According to Second Spectrum tracking, Indiana pressured the Thunder on 38% of their possessions-tops among all playoff teams so far.
Even MVP front-runner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander struggled to find rhythm under the Pacers‘ constant pressure.
Though he finished with 27 points, he committed four turnovers, including a costly travel down the stretch as Oklahoma City attempted to mount a comeback.
With the win, Indiana now holds a crucial 2-1 series advantage and has reclaimed momentum heading into Game 4 on Friday.
The Pacers have never won an NBA title, but they’re two wins away from making history-thanks largely to their evolving defensive identity.
Meanwhile, Jay-Z‘s high-profile loss won’t hurt him financially, but it adds another chapter to the unpredictable narrative of this year’s NBA postseason.
And it’s a reminder that no matter how big your bankroll, betting on the playoffs remains a gamble.
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