Why Was the Warriors-Jazz NBA Game Postponed? What We Know

Golden State Warriors Assistant Coach Dejan Milojević died Wednesday morning after suffering a heart attack the night before at a private team dinner, the Warriors announced in a statement. He was 46.

Milojević was hospitalized in Salt Lake City Tuesday. The NBA postponed Wednesday's scheduled game between the Warriors and Utah Jazz after learning of the "medical emergency in the Warriors family."

"We are absolutely devastated by Dejan's sudden passing," Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr said in a statement. "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."

Here's what we know about the situation.

What Happened to Milojević?

Milojević traveled to Utah with the Warriors for Wednesday's game and suffered what the team originally described as a "medical emergency" during Tuesday night's meal. Players and coaches were dining together at the time of the episode, which ESPN referred to on Wednesday morning as "sudden and serious."

Golden State confirmed Wednesday morning that Milojević had been hospitalized, but did not disclose further details on the situation until the announcement of his death.

"The NBA mourns the sudden passing of Golden State assistant coach Dejan Milojević, a beloved colleague and dear friend to so many in the global basketball community," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.

Earlier in the day, team spokesperson described the Warriors' mood as "shaken," according to the San Francisco Chronicle, adding that "we're in prayer mode." Warriors coaches and players had been spending time at the hospital since Tuesday night.

Milojević Coaching, Playing History

Kerr added Milojević to his staff ahead of the 2021 season. The Serbian played 15 years professionally in Europe, including stops in his home country as well as Spain, Montenegro and Turkey, according to the NBA Coaches Association. Over an accomplished playing career, the 6-foot-7 forward from Belgrade was a three-time Adriatic League MVP and led the league in scoring twice.

Before joining the Warriors, Milojević served as the head coach for KK Mega Basket in Belgrade for eight seasons (2012-20), while also serving a stint as an assistant coach for the Serbian national team. Milojević had NBA Summer League coaching experience with the Atlanta Hawks (2016), San Antonio Spurs (2017), and Houston Rockets (2018).

The well-regarded big-man coach had worked extensively with fellow Serbian and two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić.

Warriors' Upcoming Schedule

The Warriors (18-22) are next scheduled to play at 10 p.m. ET on Friday in a home contest against the Dallas Mavericks. Golden State will then have four days off before hosting the Atlanta Hawks and Sacramento Kings on back-to-back nights, January 24 and 25.

It is currently unclear how the team's schedule will be affected by the postponement.

A makeup date for the Warriors-Jazz game will be announced at a later time. The Jazz said all tickets for Wednesday's game will be honored for the rescheduled game once a date is determined.

Golden State also canceled its Wednesday morning shootaround. The postponement of the Jazz game cuts short a planned road trip, which the team went on 1-2. Stephen Curry and company, winners of the NBA Finals just two seasons ago, are in 12th place in the Western Conference Standings, 1.5 games outside the play-in tournament and 5.5 games out of a locked-in playoff spot.

Update 1/17/24, 4:55 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.