SALT LAKE CITY – The NBA announced that commissioner Adam Silver will miss Game 6 of the Finals after entering the league’s Health & Safety Protocols prior to Game 5 of the series.

The league shared the news hours before Game 6 between the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors on Thursday, June 16.

“Commissioner Adam Silver will not attend Game 6 of the Finals tonight due to the NBA’s Health & Safety Protocols,” NBA Communications tweeted.

Silver previously missed Game 5 of the series due to the league’s COVID-19 protocols.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that if the Warriors win Game 6 and capture the title, NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum will handle the presentation of the Larry O’Brien trophy to Golden State in Silver’s absence.

“If the Golden State Warriors win Game 6 tonight, NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum will present the championship trophy in Adam Silver’s absence, sources tell ESPN,” the NBA insider posted on Twitter.

If the Golden State Warriors win Game 6 tonight, NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum will present the championship trophy in Adam Silver’s absence, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/W45jf0SKTs

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 16, 2022

COVID-19 Impacting NBA Finals

Before the start of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, ESPN found itself shorthanded for the network’s upcoming broadcast of the event. NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski and analyst Jeff Van Gundy were both forced to miss the opening contest of the series after testing positive for COVID-19.

2022 NBA Finals: Boston Celtics vs. Golden State Warriors

How To Watch, Stream, Listen To The NBA Finals

Game 1

Celtics 120, Warriors 108

Boston led 1-0

Game 2

Warriors 107, Celtics 88

Series tied 1-1

Game 3

Celtics 116, Warriors 100

Boston led 2-1

Game 4

Warriors 107, Celtics 97

Series tied 2-2

Game 5

Warriors 104, Celtics 94

Warriors lead 3-2

Game 6

When: Thursday, June 16 at 7 p.m. (MDT)

Where: TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts

TV: ABC

Streaming: ESPN app

Radio: ESPN

Game 7 (if necessary)

When: Sunday, June 19 at 6 p.m. (MDT)

Where: Chase Center in San Francisco, California

TV: ABC

Streaming: ESPN app

Radio: ESPN

The Golden State Warriors will host the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Finals on Thursday, June 2 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN Radio.

The complete NBA Finals schedule ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/VWsaVkmf9a

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 30, 2022

Boston finished the regular season with a 51-31 record and earned the No. 2 seed in the East. On their way to reaching the NBA Finals, the Celtics defeated the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Miami Heat.

Golden State completed the regular season with a 53-29 record and earned the No. 3 seed in the West. Due to their regular season record, the Warriors own home-court advantage in the Finals. Before reaching the NBA Finals, the Warriors had playoff series victories over the Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies, and Dallas Mavericks.

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