A game between the Warriors and Jazz scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 17 has been postponed to a later date.
In an official statement, the Warriors announced that assistant coach Dejan Milojevic suffered a heart attack at a private dinner in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 16. On Wednesday, Jan. 17, the Warriors announced that "despite life-saving efforts," Milojevic passed away late Wednesday morning at the age of 46.
In addition to the Warriors, the league has provided a statement on the game's postponement. Here is what we know.
Why is Warriors vs. Jazz postponed?
On Jan. 17, the NBA provided the following statement on the postponed game:
The National Basketball Association game scheduled for tonight between the Golden State Warriors and the Utah Jazz has been postponed due to a medical emergency in the Warriors family.
The date for the rescheduled game will be announced at a later time.
Head coach Steve Kerr had this to say of Milojevic in the team's official statement:
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 issued the following statement on Milojevic's passing:
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.
After the postponement of Wednesday's game, the Warriors will return to San Francisco, where they will remain for the remainder of January.
Golden State's next game is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 19.
The Sporting News will continue to provide updates if the team's schedule is further impacted by the tragedy.
