The Golden State Warriors experienced an emotional night as they paid tribute to their beloved assistant coach Dejan Milojevi?, who passed away on January 17 due to a heart attack during a team dinner.
Playing their first game since Milojevi?’s tragic death, the Warriors held the match at Chase Center in San Francisco on Wednesday, having previously postponed multiple games to mourn his loss.
A poignant video tribute to Milojevi? was displayed in the arena just before the tipoff, evoking visible emotions from the team’s players and Milojevi?’s family, who were present.
The tribute featured footage of Milojevi? working with Warriors players during practices and games, along with video interviews with players and coaches. Head coach Steve Kerr reflected on Milojevi?’s positive outlook on life, saying, “He always just had a gleam in his eye and a laugh, and he just constantly saw the good in people and the joy in life.”
Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovi?, recalling Milojevi? with a smile, appeared in the video, and another Warriors assistant coach praised Milojevi? for bringing joy and love of life to the team and the city.
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During the tribute, Milojevi? expressed in a past interview his joy in watching players develop on the court, emphasizing his love for his job.
The Warriors’ star players, including Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, were visibly moved during the tribute, embracing one another and shedding tears as they celebrated Milojevi?’s life.
Despite the emotional evening, the Warriors managed to shift their focus to basketball and secured a 134-112 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
Milojevi?, a longtime coach and former player, passed away at a Salt Lake City hospital the morning after suffering a heart attack during a private dinner ahead of the game against the Utah Jazz. Steve Kerr expressed deep sorrow over Milojevi?’s sudden passing, praising him not only as a skilled basketball coach but as a positive and beautiful human being.
Milojevi? had been with the Warriors for three seasons, contributing to their 2022 NBA championship victory. Before joining the Warriors, he served as the head coach for KK Budu?nost in the Adriatic League in Montenegro and KK Mega Basket in Belgrade, Serbia.
