Does the thermal pad on the TLC5955 absolutely have to be connected?

Hi, I'm prototyping a project with the TLC5955, and I got a TSSOP to DIP adapter with the TLC5955 with it already soldered on, but then I read the datasheet for the TLC5955 which said that its thermal pad MUST be connected to GND. The adapter doesn't have the thermal pad soldered, so do I have to solder it to GND. I'm going to be drawing hardly any current from it, so overheating shouldn't be a problem. Thank you