New details from the Department of Justice’s “Operation Royal Flush” investigation into illegal gambling have linked NBA legend Kevin Garnett to a 2019 poker game reportedly rigged by organizers now under federal scrutiny. According to sports journalist Pablo Torre, several former professional athletes participated in private, high-stakes poker games connected to the DOJ probe.
Sources with direct knowledge claim that Garnett, the Hall of Famer and Boston Celtics champion known for his defensive dominance and 2008 NBA title, was among those who played in one of the games.
It is important to note that Garnett has not been arrested or charged in connection with the case. Whether he was aware of any alleged rigging or was simply an unwitting participant remains unclear. Torre emphasized that numerous pro athletes attended these games, suggesting more names could emerge as the investigation continues, which is expected to take six to twelve months.
The revelation has sparked social media chatter, especially around Garnett’s 2019 Netflix film “Uncut Gems,” in which his character pawns his 2008 championship ring to fund a high-stakes bet. Fans noted the eerie parallels between the movie’s storyline and the real-life poker scandal, joking that “Uncut Gems wasn’t a movie, it was a documentary.”
This development comes a day after Miami Heat veteran Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups were charged in connection with a sprawling criminal scheme involving rigged poker games and sports bets, with over 30 individuals arrested, nearly half allegedly tied to the Italian mafia.
While Garnett’s role in the 2019 game has not been clarified, the latest reporting underscores the wide reach of the DOJ’s probe and the potential for more high-profile athletes to be mentioned in the coming months.
