Drake loses $800,000 after bet on Game 6 of Thunder-Pacers in NBA Finals

Drake Loses $800K Betting on Thunder in NBA Finals Game 6
Drake is no stranger to big bets and big losses, and his latest NBA gamble is yet another dip in his rollercoaster gambling record. The Toronto-born rapper wagered a whopping $800,000 on the Oklahoma City Thunder to defeat the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals — but not just any win. The bet was specific: OKC had to win by a margin of six to ten points.
Drizzy’s reason? Loyalty — not necessarily to Oklahoma, but to one of its biggest stars: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder’s All-NBA guard and fellow Canadian. When his beloved Toronto Raptors aren’t in the playoffs, Drake often finds another team — or countryman — to support. This time, it was all-in for SGA and company.
Pacers Crush Thunder’s Hopes — and Drake’s Bet
Unfortunately for the rap mogul, the Pacers weren’t playing games. They came into Game 6 ready to fight off elimination and force a decisive Game 7. On their home floor at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Pacers delivered a dominating 108–91 victory, crushing the Thunder — and any hope Drake had of winning his eight-hundred-grand side bet.
The Pacers executed a masterclass in team basketball, with contributions from Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner, and the supporting cast that proved too much for OKC to handle. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, despite his efforts, couldn’t carry the team alone this time around.
That 17-point loss meant not only a Thunder defeat, but also a complete miss on Drake’s precise winning margin bet.
Even if OKC had won, the six-to-ten-point stipulation would’ve needed surgical precision.
Drake’s Recent Betting Losses Climb Over $8 Million
Drake’s $800K miss adds to what has been a brutal month on the betting front. According to recent figures shared online — and sometimes even by Drake himself — the “God’s Plan” rapper has lost more than $8 million across various bets in just the last few weeks.
He’s placed wagers on:
- NBA games
- NHL playoffs
- UFC fights
- Even international soccer matches
Sometimes he wins big (like his six-figure UFC parlay hits), but more often, his high-risk, high-reward bets don’t pay off. And as flashy as the bets look, many fans debate whether these are truly serious losses for him or part of a larger branding effort with gambling platforms.
Why Drake Bet on Oklahoma City Thunder
Drake’s motivation to back the Thunder in this NBA Finals run isn’t random. It all circles back to SGA, the team’s superstar guard and arguably the face of Canadian basketball right now. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a native of Toronto, Ontario, has captured NBA fans’ attention over the past few seasons with his poised leadership and elite play.
With the Raptors not in this year’s postseason picture, it made sense for Drake to put his emotional (and financial) energy behind SGA. After all, he’s long been a cheerleader for fellow Canadians making global waves, whether it’s in music, sports, or fashion.
This wasn’t just a bet. It was a nod of respect to one of Canada’s brightest athletic exports.
Game 7 Looms Large — Will Drake Bet Again?
Now that the series is headed to a dramatic Game 7 in Oklahoma City, fans are wondering whether Drake will double down — or sit the next one out. Given his history of chasing redemption after losses, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him place another massive wager, maybe this time with a less specific win margin.
A Game 7 NBA Finals always carries heavy stakes, and with SGA on the court and the Thunder back home, the momentum could shift back in their favor. Still, the Pacers have proven they’re no underdogs — they’ve taken OKC to the wire and have nothing to lose.
Whether Drake bets or not, this final game promises to be one for the ages.
Drake’s Gambling Habit: Hobby or High-Stakes Marketing?
Drake’s sports betting habits have become part of his brand. He frequently posts his betting slips and winnings/losses on Instagram and often uses popular gambling platforms like Stake, with whom he has a public partnership.
To some, his gambling appears reckless. But to others, it’s clear that Drake’s relationship with betting is as much entertainment and marketing as it is personal thrill-seeking. With an estimated net worth north of $250 million, an $800K loss is little more than a headline grabber — not a financial burden.
Still, some fans question the message it sends, especially to younger followers who may not understand the financial cushion behind Drake’s risky plays.
Will SGA Deliver for Canada?
For all the attention on Drake’s wallet, the real story remains on the court. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is trying to do something no Canadian star has done since Steve Nash: lead his team to an NBA title.
SGA has been one of the league’s most consistent performers all season, earning MVP buzz and turning the Thunder from young upstarts into legitimate contenders. Game 7 presents a chance not just for a championship, but for a defining legacy moment — the kind that cements a player’s name in the history books.
Drake’s Luck May Be Down, But the Drama Is Up
While Drake’s $800K loss stings, especially after millions in other missed bets, it’s just another chapter in his ongoing saga as a celebrity gambler. The stakes are real, but the spotlight is often brighter than the financial impact.
With Game 7 on the horizon, fans of both basketball and hip-hop will be watching to see if Drake jumps back into the action — and whether Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can bring home a championship for both Oklahoma City and Canadian pride.
Either way, it’s high drama, high risk, and high reward — everything Drake seems to love.