Every year, NBA commissioner Adam Silver is on scene to hand out the Larry O'Brien trophy to the world champions.
It's a custom for all major sports.
This year, however, there's a chance a champion will be crowned without him.
On June 13, the NBA announced that Silver would not attend Game 5 of the 2022 NBA Finals between the Warriors and Celtics as he had entered the league's Health and Safety protocols. Ahead of Game 6, it was revealed that he's still in protocols.
Commissioner Adam Silver will not attend Game 6 of the Finals tonight due to the NBA’s Health & Safety Protocols.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) June 16, 2022
Silver, who usually attends all games in the Finals, told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that entering protocols was "lousy timing."
The league did not specify if Silver tested positive for COVID-19 or if he was in close contact with someone who did.
If the Celtics defeat the Warriors on Thursday to tie the NBA Finals at 3-3, Game 7 will be held in San Francisco on Sunday, June 19. Time will tell if Silver will clear protocols in time to present the trophy for the victor of Game 7.
MORE: Breaking down Game 6 of NBA Finals
Who will present the championship trophy in place of Adam Silver?
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Mark Tatum will present the championship trophy if the Warriors win Thursday night.
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
Who is Mark Tatum?
Tatum has been the NBA's Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer since 2014.
Tatum is a familiar face and no stranger to the big stage. He traditionally announces second round picks during the NBA Draft and presented the draft order in the 2022 NBA Draft Lottery.
Tatum was born in Vietnam, grew up in New York and graduated from both Cornell University (1991) and Harvard Business School (1998).
In 2016, Forbes named Tatum one of the most influential minorities in sports. He's also been named to the Sports Business Journal's "Forty under 40 award" and "50 Most Influential People in Sports Business" list.
