NBA commissioner Adam Silver to miss Finals Game 5 in COVID-19 protocols
The NBA commissioner has landed in COVID-19 protocols.
The league announced Monday afternoon that Adam Silver will not attend Game 5 of the NBA Finals in San Francisco, citing the league's health and safety protocols.
Commissioner Adam Silver will not attend Game 5 of the Finals tonight due to the NBA’s Health & Safety Protocols.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) June 13, 2022
It's not clear whether Silver contracted COVID-19 or is considered a close contact. Silver's health status beyond his placement in protocols is also unclear.
The Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors enter Game 5 on Monday with the series tied at 2-2. Silver has so far attended games in San Francisco and Boston and held his annual Finals news conference prior to Game 1 in San Francisco.
The Finals have so far carried on amid a national surge in COVID-19 cases without the coronavirus impacting players on the court. But Silver's placement in protocols isn't the first time COVID-19 has affected the NBA postseason.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr missed three games in Golden State's second-round series against the Memphis Grizzlies in protocols before returning to the bench for the Western Conference finals. Meanwhile, ESPN announcers Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy both missed Finals games because of COVID-19. They have since returned to the network's Finals broadcasts alongside commentator Mark Jackson.
