Adam Silver Will Miss Warriors vs. Celtics NBA Finals Game 6 Due to COVID Protocols

The NBA announced that Commissioner Adam Silver will miss Thursday night's Game 6 of the NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics because of health and safety protocols.

Silver previously missed Monday's Game 5 for the same reason. The league has not announced if Silver tested positive for COVID-19 or came in close contact with someone who did.

Thursday's contest could be a closeout game in Boston, as the Warriors hold a 3-2 series lead.

With the series tied 2-2, the Warriors came through in Game 5 on their home court in San Francisco, earning a 104-94 win thanks largely to a 26-point, 13-rebound effort by Andrew Wiggins.

If the Warriors win Game 6, it will mark their fourth championship in eight seasons. Meanwhile, the Celtics are looking to keep their hopes of winning their first championship since 2007-08 alive.

In order to do so, the Celtics will need big efforts from the star duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and they will likely have to keep the Warriors' Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in check.

Silver's absence could throw a wrench into things if the Warriors win Game 6, since he won't be present to present them with the Larry O'Brien Trophy, as is customary.

The NBA has not announced who will fill in for Silver in that regard if needed, but it could fall on NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum.

Silver served in the role of deputy commissioner for eight years before being promoted to commissioner in 2014 upon the retirement of David Stern.