Adam Silver, the Commissioner of the NBA, did not turn up for Game 5 of the finals between the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics on Monday. He broke an 8-year-long tradition by missing the match.

Silver, 60, is known to typically attend all NBA Finals since 2014, when he was appointed as the NBA Commissioner. The ongoing championship is the ninth edition that is being held during his tenure, including the 2020 season that resumed inside a bubble at Walt Disney World in Florida in the early stages of the pandemic.

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Why was Adam Silver absent?

Adam Silver did not show up for the game due to the “health and safety protocols” of the NBA but did not confirm if he had tested positive for COVID-19 or not. The NBA also did not say if Silver came in close contact with someone who had tested positive for COVID-19.

Also unclear is when Silver will be able to resume attending games. Part of his role as commissioner involves handing out the league’s championship trophy, which one team will be awarded either Thursday in Boston or Sunday in San Francisco.

The months of June and July have particularly been busy periods for NBA commissioners. The championship usually ends halfway through June and preparations for the next season begin soon after. The NBA Commissioner is usually tasked with announcing the selections from the first round of the draft.

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Golden State Warriors won Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday against the Boston Celtics and secured a lead of 3-2. The game ended with a tally of 104-94.

Golden State Warriors are on the cusp of winning their seventh NBA championship. Boston Celtics, on the other hand, have won 17 titles so far.