The NBA game between Warriors and Jazz has been postponed due to the unexpected passing of Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević from a heart attack on Wednesday, January 17.
A new date for the rescheduled game will be announced later. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released a statement today regarding Milojević’s passing.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević: pic.twitter.com/Ft6akrEZHr
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 17, 2024
Milojević passed away in Salt Lake City, where he was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday night following a medical emergency during a private team dinner.
The Golden State Warriors were set to face the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night, but the NBA decided to postpone the game.
“We are absolutely devastated by Dejan’s sudden passing,” coach Steve Kerr said in a statement released by the team. “This is a shocking and tragic blow for everyone associated with the Warriors and an incredibly difficult time for his family, friends, and all of us who had the incredible pleasure to work with him.”
Milojević’s death elicited a massive and immediate outpouring of sympathy from the basketball community, and moments of silence were held Wednesday before NBA games. Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra called the news “horrific.”
Atlanta forward Bogdan Bogdanovic, a Serbian, like Milojević, politely declined comment Wednesday before the Hawks’ game, saying, “I’m sorry. I can’t talk about it right now. I feel so bad,” while tapping his chest.
“You changed my life in such a short time,” Warriors rookie Brandin Podziemski wrote on social media. “The most important thing you ever told me was to just smile! Your joy and laughs will forever be missed. Shine down on us from heaven.”
Milojević, who had been in his third season with the Warriors, had prior coaching experience in Serbia. During his time there, he collaborated with a young Jokic before the Denver Nuggets star moved to the United States.
Additionally, Milojević coached in Montenegro and served as an assistant coach for the Serbian national team alongside current Atlanta assistant Igor Koskoskov.
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