A sweeping federal indictment alleges that non-public injury information involving LeBron James and Anthony Davis was made available to sports bettors, creating a “rigged” advantage in NBA wagering. Prosecutors claim that former NBA player and Lakers associate Damon Jones provided confidential updates to a gambling ring about player availability for specific games.
Court filings assert that Jones, acting in an unofficial coaching role for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2022-23 season, flagged that a star player was likely to miss a February 2023 game. That player is identified in the documents as “Player 3,” and investigative reporting identifies him as LeBron James. The indictment also refers to a January 15, 2024 game in which injury status of “Player 4” was disclosed; investigative tracking indicates that player was Anthony Davis.
According to the filing, one bettor placed a $100,000 wager against the Lakers based on the tip that Davis would be limited. Despite the tip, the Lakers won the game. The discrepancy raised questions among co-conspirators, who allegedly asked Jones for their money back because the bet failed.
No Allegations Against Players Themselves
Importantly, neither LeBron James nor Anthony Davis is accused of participating in the scheme. The indictment explicitly states their names do not appear in the charges. A statement from the league noted the players were unaware of the leaks and that the breach appears to stem from non-public staff and betting-network access, not athlete collaboration.
Legal experts say the case highlights a persistent risk in professional sports: the lag between internal player-availability decisions and public disclosure. Because teams sometimes delay final roster confirmations, insiders with early knowledge may exploit that gap.
The alleged leaks are part of a broader investigation that has resulted in indictments of more than 30 individuals across 11 states, including current and former NBA figures such as Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier. The operation appears to combine illegal sports betting and high-stakes poker games tied to organized crime. At a public press conference, FBI leadership described the case as historic in scope for the NBA.
League officials declined to comment about specific injunctive actions but reaffirmed that they are cooperating with federal authorities. One NBA insider said, “This threatens the integrity of our game.” Investigators are now reviewing how internal injury reporting, coaching staff communications and betting-data leaks may have intersected.
The case raises urgent questions about how NBA teams handle injury disclosures. If internal staff share or leak information prematurely, it can undermine fair competition. One attorney specializing in sports betting law commented: “Any material non-public information on player availability becomes a commodity in wagering markets.”
The Lakers organization faces scrutiny over whether its internal protocols were sufficient. At the same time, individual bettors and sports-book regulators are likely to examine how many wagers stemmed from insider injury knowledge and whether any outcomes were manipulated.