Shocking and Tragic blow: Warriors’ 2nd straight game postponed due to assistant coach’s death
The Golden State Warriors’ game against the Dallas Mavericks scheduled for Friday night at Chase Center has been postponed due to the death of Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević, the NBA announced on Thursday.
Milojević was hospitalized after suffering a heart attack during a private team dinner in Salt Lake City on Tuesday night. He died the following morning.
The Warriors were slated to play the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night, but that game was postponed also.
Both games will be rescheduled, but the makeup dates have not been announced.
Friday’s game would have been the first of a five-game homestand for the Warriors. Their next game is scheduled for Jan. 24 against the Atlanta Hawks.
Milojević, 46, was in his third season with the Warriors’ coaching staff and was part of the team’s 2021-22 NBA championship.
He joined the club following a decorated playing and coaching career in Europe, including in his native Serbia, where he mentored future two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
“This is a shocking and tragic blow for everyone associated with the Warriors and an incredible difficult time for his family, friends and all of us who had the incredible pleasure to work with him,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said in a statement.
Further Reading:
Warriors vs. Mavericks postponed: ESPN changes Friday broadcast after death of Dejan Milojevic
In an official statement Wednesday, Golden State announced assistant coach Dejan Milojevic, 46, suddenly passed away after suffering a heart attack at a private dinner in Salt Lake City ahead of the team’s scheduled game against the Jazz.
That contest was supposed to take place Wednesday, but was postponed, giving the team time to mourn the loss of their coach.
MORE: Basketball world mourns loss of Warriors assistant Dejan Milojevic
For more information on Golden State’s latest postponement, The Sporting News has you covered below.
Why is Warriors vs. Mavericks postponed?
On Jan. 18, the NBA released a statement that the Warriors’ Friday game against the Mavericks will be postponed.
As mentioned in the release, ESPN will now telecast the game between the Nets and Lakers on Friday night.
After Milojevic’s passing Tuesday, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr issued a statement in the team’s press release to honor his assistant.
“We are absolutely devastated by Dejan’s sudden passing. 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. In addition to being a terrific basketball coach, Dejan was one of the most positive and beautiful human beings I have ever known, someone who brought joy and light to every single day with his passion and energy. We grieve with and for his wife, Natasa, and their children, Nikola and Masa. Their loss is unfathomable.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also had this to say on the loss of the Warriors’ assistant coach:
The NBA mourns the sudden passing of Golden State assistant coach Dejan Milojevic, a beloved colleague and dear friend to so many in the global basketball community. In addition to winning the 2022 NBA championship in his first season with the Warriors and mentoring some of the best players in the world, Dejan had a decorated international playing career and was a distinguished head coach in his native Serbia. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, Natasa, their children, Nikola and Masa, and the Warriors organization during this tragic time.
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