Adam Silver: Donald Sterling Still Could Be Los Angeles Clippers' Owner Next Year [VIDEO]

Donald Sterling may end up losing the war, but he is at least winning one battle.

Donald Sterling's inability to put numbers on a clock a sign of dementia.

USA TODAY Sports is reporting that NBA Adam Silver warned that the sale of the Los Angeles Clippers to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer may not be completed before the start of the 2014-15 season.

The holdup, according to Silver, is the legal battle that Sterling, the Clippers' current owner, has brought against the NBA.

The hearing to determine whether Shelly Sterling, Donald's wife, was within her right to sell the team is on hold; proceedings are expected to resume on Monday with closing arguments set for July 28, USA TODAY Sports reported.

Returning the Clippers to Donald Sterling would be fair in the sense that he would lose millions of dollars

"I cannot say with certainty (that the team will transfer ownership by the start of next season), and I can't say it with certainty because it's in the hands of the probate court right now and Donald is in the process of suing us for lots of money and we're defending ourselves against those lawsuits," Silver said, according to For the Win. "It's very difficult to say anything with certainty in a situation like this. I can say with certainty (that) we are doing everything within in our power to move Donald out as an owner in the NBA. And as I said, if the probate ruling doesn't go in our favor we'll recommence our procedures under termination (of Sterling's ownership)."

Today was supposed to be the day that Ballmer's purchase of the Clippers was to be approved.

Silver says the NBA firmly believes in its case against Sterling but acknowledged the possibility of a disagreement in court.

"It's possible some court would step in and stop us," Silver said. "I think it's highly, highly unlikely because we are absolutely acting within our rights and I think what's transpired in probate court so far has made it even clearer that we were acting not only within our rights but doing what is right and appropriate in this situation."

Do you think Donald Sterling still will be the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers to start the 2014-15 season? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.