As the 2022 NBA Finals got underway at the Chase Heart in San Francisco, California, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver took to the podium to examine league issues. 

One particular of these matters – the problem relating to WNBA star Brittney Griner – is really urgent. 

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver normally takes questions from reporters before the initially activity of the NBA finals amongst the Boston Celtics and Golden Condition Warriors in San Francisco, California, on June 2, 2022. (Jim Davis/The Boston Globe through Getty Illustrations or photos)

Griner has been held in Russia considering the fact that February, just after Russian authorities said they located vape cartridges made up of cannabis oil in her luggage. In early May, the U.S. federal government established that Griner was becoming "wrongfully detained" by the Russian federal government. 

"It’s been now about 100 days due to the fact she’s been illegally held in Russia," Silver said prior to the begin of the NBA Finals. "I think it’s something that all of us should be listened to on, calling your reps and other folks. I will only say, we are performing in lockstep with the U.S. authorities and exterior experts on hoping to expedite her launch in any way we can. Certainly, our hearts go out to her and her loved ones and are just eager for her secure return"

WNBA STAR BRITTNEY GRINER Noticed FOR To start with TIME Considering the fact that RUSSIA ARREST, PRE-Demo DETENTION Extended

Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury is defended by Azurá Stevens of the Sky for the duration of the WNBA Finals at Wintrust Arena on Oct. 17, 2021, in Chicago.  (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

In mid-May possibly, Griner’s pre-trial extension was extended one particular month, in accordance to her lawyer. Griner’s attorney thinks that the shorter extension signifies that the situation will go to demo soon. 

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The WNBA and the NBA remained comparatively tranquil in the months right after Griner’s arrest, a technique that Silver said arrived at the behest of authorities. 

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"The league, and by that both the WNBA and its brother league – the NBA –  we have a large duty to Brittney Griner as 1 of our players," Silver claimed all through the NBA Draft lottery on May possibly 17. "Section of our determination to not consider a higher profile in this article, frankly arrived at the suggestion of industry experts in and out of govt, who imagined the very best path to obtaining Brittney out was not to amplify the situation."

A ground decal at Michelob Ultra Arena on Might 8, 2022, in Las Vegas options the initials of Phoenix Mercury participant Brittney Griner and her jersey variety 42. (Ethan Miller/Getty Photographs)

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"Owning reported that, there’s an great function for the public to enjoy, as a result of protest or letting their representatives know how strongly they truly feel about this," Silver ongoing. "Cathy Engelbert, the commissioner of the WNBA, is on this challenge every single one working day. I’m working facet by aspect with her, but we’ve been in contact with the White Household, the Condition Department, hostage negotiators … At each stage of govt, but also via the non-public sector as nicely. Our number just one precedence is her overall health and safety and creating certain that she receives out of Russia." 

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Griner is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and won the 2014 WNBA championship with the Phoenix Mercury. 

The contributed to this report.