The Oklahoma City Thunder are officially NBA champions for the first time in franchise history after defeating the Indiana Pacers in a thrilling seven-game series that concluded Sunday night.
The victory not only marked a historic moment for the franchise, but also delivered major payouts for a few high-stakes bettors.
Las Vegas Bettor Wins $150K on $1.05M Thunder Wager
A high-roller at MGM in Las Vegas placed a massive $1.05 million bet on the Thunder to win the NBA Finals at -700 odds back on June 4, before the series tipped off.
That wager netted a profit of $150,000 following Sunday’s Game 7 victory. According to reports, it was the largest legal sportsbook wager placed on this year’s Finals in the U.S.
Jay-Z’s $1M Bet Falls Short
While some bettors saw big returns, others missed the mark. Rapper Jay-Z reportedly wagered $1 million at Fanatics Sportsbook on the Thunder to win the series in exactly five games.
However, that prediction didn’t pan out as Oklahoma City needed the full seven games to clinch the title.
Oddsmakers Favored Thunder from the Start
Sportsbooks had strong reasons to root for the Thunder throughout the Finals. With steep odds, Oklahoma City didn’t draw excessive liability, keeping bookmakers in a relatively safe position.
Teams that posed the greatest risk for sportsbooks—such as the Lakers, Warriors, Cavaliers, and Celtics—had all been eliminated earlier in the playoffs.
Additionally, the Thunder’s limited national fan base and the fact that sports betting is not legal in Oklahoma contributed to fewer futures bets being placed on the team, despite their top-tier status all season.
Thunder Enter 2025–26 Season as Favorites to Repeat
Following their championship win, sportsbooks wasted no time placing Oklahoma City as the favorites to repeat next season, opening at +220 odds to win the 2025–26 NBA Finals.
The Thunder entered the 2025 Finals as overwhelming favorites, ranking as the seventh-biggest favorite in a Finals matchup since 1969, according to Sports Odds History.
Even after trailing 2-1 in the series, the Thunder maintained -250 odds to take home the title.
The Thunder’s first NBA championship has electrified fans and delivered huge payouts to confident bettors, further solidifying their status as a rising dynasty.
With sportsbooks already naming them the favorites for next season, Oklahoma City seems poised to remain a major force in the NBA landscape—both on the court and at the betting window.