NBA
Why was the Golden State Warriors - Utah Jazz game suspended?
The Warriors’ regular-season NBA clash with the Jazz has been postponed after assistant coach Dejan Milojevic suffered a fatal heart attack.
The Warriors’ NBA regular-season game with the Utah Jazz was postponed on Wednesday after Golden State assistant coach Dejan Milojevic suffered a fatal heart attack.
In a statement, the Warriors said Milojevic was hospitalised on Tuesday night after experiencing the medical emergency during a team dinner at a restaurant in Salt Lake City.
“Despite life-saving efforts, Milojevic, 46, passed away late Wednesday morning,” the franchise said.
Golden State “devastated” by Milojevic death - Kerr
“We are absolutely devastated by Dejan’s sudden passing,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said. “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.”
Milojevic an NBA winner in three years with Warriors
One of the most popular and respected coaches in the NBA, Milojevic was part of the Warriors’ backroom team from 2021, having previously had spells as the head coach at Serbian club Mega Basket and Montenegrans Buducnost.
In his time with the Warriors, he played his part in guiding Golden State to the 2022 NBA title - the seventh in franchise history.
At Mega Basket, Milojevic worked with compatriot and two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, who starred in the Denver Nuggets’ championship-winning season in 2023.
Milojevic, who had maintained a close friendship with Jokic, said of his experience of coaching the 28-year-old early in his playing career: “After a week, he had already passed me in ability.”
European title-winning player
A 6ft 7in power forward, Milojevic the player was a gold-medal winner at international level at EuroBasket 2001, and played for clubs in Serbia, Montenegro, Spain and Turkey before retiring in 2009.
The Warriors had been due to take on the Jazz in Utah at 9pm ET on Wednesday, in their 41st game of the 2023/24 NBA regular season.
“The date for the rescheduled game will be announced at a later time,” the league said in a statement.