Drake has once again made headlines, this time for his lucrative sports betting success. On April 25, 2025, Drake placed a hefty $620,000 wager on the Minnesota Timberwolves ahead of their Game 3 NBA playoff matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. The bet paid off handsomely as the Timberwolves secured a commanding 116-104 victory at the Target Center in Minneapolis, earning Drake a staggering $403,000 profit.
Drake, known for his high-stakes gambling, shared his betting slip on Instagram before the game, captioning it, “Lemme see sum real quick Ant,” a nod to Timberwolves’ star Anthony Edwards. The Timberwolves entered the game as 3.5-point favorites with a -155 moneyline, and their 12-point win not only covered the spread but also secured Drake’s bet.
The total payout amounted to $1,023,000, with Drake pocketing a cool $403,000 in profit. True to form, the rapper flaunted his winnings on Instagram shortly after the game, sharing an image of his prize with his millions of followers.
Drake’s successful bet comes amidst the infamous “Drake curse,” a superstition that suggests teams or athletes he supports tend to lose. The curse has been linked to several high-profile losses, including Drake’s $500,000 bets on the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Mavericks to win their respective championships last year—both teams ultimately fell short.
Other supposed victims include former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel and ex-Timberwolves star Andrew Wiggins, both featured in Drake’s 2014 song “Draft Day” but who failed to live up to early expectations.
However, despite the superstition, Drake’s betting record tells a different story. According to the tracking website thedrakecurse.com, the rapper is actually up $2.24 million in his sports betting career. This includes a recent $370,000 win on Alexander Volkanovski in a UFC match earlier in April. His latest win on the Timberwolves further solidifies his status as a savvy bettor, proving the “Drake curse” may be more myth than reality.
The Game 3 matchup between the Timberwolves and Lakers was a back-and-forth affair, with multiple lead changes keeping fans on edge. LeBron James led the charge for the Lakers, pouring in 38 points and sinking three consecutive three-pointers in the fourth quarter. However, the Timberwolves’ defense proved too strong, clamping down in the final minutes to secure the win.
A pivotal moment came with around five minutes left when James committed a costly turnover, leading to a fast-break opportunity for Jaden McDaniels, who converted and then continued to lock down Lakers’ star Luka Dončić. The Timberwolves sealed the victory with a dominant 13-1 run in the closing four minutes, showcasing their defensive prowess and clutch play.
The Lakers faced an uphill battle as Luka Dončić battled a stomach illness. Lakers coach JJ Redick revealed before the game that Dončić had been “throwing up all afternoon,” which likely contributed to his subpar outing of just 17 points on 6-for-16 shooting—a far cry from his usual dominance.
For the Timberwolves, Jaden McDaniels delivered a stellar performance with 30 points, the highest on his team. Anthony Edwards also played a crucial role, displaying composure in clutch moments to help secure the win. The Timberwolves’ defense was particularly effective, forcing Dončić and Austin Reaves into a combined nine turnovers while holding Reaves to 20 points on 7-for-18 shooting.
With this victory, the Timberwolves took a 2-1 lead in their first-round Western Conference playoff series against the Lakers. The series has been tightly contested, with Minnesota winning Game 1 convincingly 117-95, followed by the Lakers evening the series with a 94-85 win in Game 2. Game 3 marked the Timberwolves’ first home game of the series, and they capitalized on the home-court advantage.
Edwards noted after Game 2 that despite their offensive struggles, the Timberwolves “found a way to get our defense back tight” and felt confident heading into Game 3. Their defense has been a consistent strength, holding the Lakers below 100 points in both previous games before Game 3.
NBA fans were quick to react to Drake’s successful bet on social media, with comments ranging from humorous to frustrated. Some jokingly suggested Drake might have caused Dončić’s illness, with one fan quipping, “He poisoned Luka.” Others expressed annoyance at the rapper’s gambling success or lamented that losing to a team Drake backed made the Lakers’ defeat sting more.
One fan remarked that the Timberwolves had “beat the Lakers, Refs, and the Drake curse tonight,” highlighting both the superstition and perceived officiating challenges.
As the series shifts to Game 4 at the Target Center, the Timberwolves will aim to maintain their momentum and extend their lead. The Lakers, meanwhile, must regroup and overcome Dončić’s illness and the series deficit to regain control. With LeBron James leading the charge, the Lakers remain a formidable opponent, but the Timberwolves’ defense and home-court advantage could prove decisive.
Drake’s $620,000 wager not only adds to his impressive betting portfolio but also serves as a reminder that the “Drake curse” doesn’t always hold true. As the series progresses, fans will watch closely to see if the Timberwolves can continue their strong play or if the Lakers can mount a comeback in this intense playoff battle.
