The assistant coach of the Golden State Warriors, Dejan Milojević, tragically passed away at the age of 46 on Wednesday morning. He suffered a heart attack during the team dinner in Utah on Tuesday and despite efforts to save him, he passed away after being hospitalized. This unexpected loss has deeply shocked the Warriors family. As a result, the NBA has decided to give the team more time to mourn and heal by postponing their game against the Dallas Mavericks scheduled for Friday. The new date for the game has not been announced yet.
This is the second game this week that the NBA has postponed due to unfortunate circumstances. The Warriors’ game against the Utah Jazz on January 17 was also moved because of a medical emergency within the Warriors family. It is clear that there are things more important than basketball, and it is appropriate for the Warriors to take the necessary time to mourn their beloved assistant coach.
Dejan Milojević had an immense impact on the team, leading them to a championship in his first season with them in 2022. However, his influence extended beyond the Warriors, as shown by the outpouring of heartfelt condolences from the basketball community. The NBA community came together to remember and honor him, observing moments of silence before their games on Wednesday.
Steve Kerr, the Warriors head coach, expressed his shock and sorrow over the loss, emphasizing how difficult it is for everyone associated with the team and for Milojević’s family and friends. Adam Silver, the NBA Commissioner, also offered his condolences on behalf of the league. The Denver Nuggets also shared their grief over the untimely passing of Coach Milojević.
Golden State Warriors rookie Brandin Podziemski reflected on how Coach Milojević had made a significant impact on his life in a short period of time. He fondly remembered the coach’s advice to always smile and expressed how much he will miss his joy and laughter. Another former assistant of the Warriors, Mike Brown, who now coaches the Sacramento Kings, spoke highly of Coach Milojević, praising not only his coaching talent but also his character as a person.
