The NBA has postponed Wednesday’s Golden State-Utah game in Salt Lake City following a serious medical emergency within the Warriors’ coaching staff.
Dejan Milojevic, an assistant coach under Steve Kerr, was hospitalized in Salt Lake City after suffering a sudden and serious health issue at Valter’s Osteria, a popular Italian restaurant frequented by visiting NBA players and coaches. One employee described the scene to DailyMail.com as ‘pretty shocking.’
‘Golden State Warriors Assistant Coach Dejan Milojevic (DAY-hahn mi-lo-yo-vihch) was hospitalized last night in Salt Lake City, Utah, after suffering a medical emergency at a private team dinner,’ read a team statement Wednesday morning. ‘An update on Milojevic’s status will be provided as appropriate.’
The team was scheduled to play the Jazz on Wednesday night in Salt Lake City until the NBA announced the postponement. A makeup date has not been set.
As reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Warriors coaches spent the night at the hospital with Milojevic and returned to be with him on Wednesday.
Sportsklub, a subscription service operating in the Balkans, is reporting that Milojevic suffered a heart attack.
Assistant coach Dejan Milojevic and Kevon Looney are seen speaking on the Warriors’ bench
Steve Kerr (holding the ball) and his staff reportedly stayed at the hospital in Salt Lake City after Dejan Milojevic (back row, center right) suffered a medical emergency at a restaurant
Milojevic is seen with his former pupil, Nikola Jokic, following a playoff game in 2022
Salt Lake City Fire Department spokespeople did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for further information.
A 6-foot-7 retired power forward, Milojevic was a star on the Serbian national team from 1994 until 2009, while winning three consecutive Adriatic League Most Valuable Player Awards from 2004 until 2006. He also played professionally in Serbia, Montenegro, Turkey, and Spain before becoming a coach.
Prior to becoming an assistant with the Warriors, Milojevic served as head coach for Mega Basket of the Adriatic Basketball Association.
It was with the Belgrade-based team that Milojevic worked with a young Nikola Jokic, who was on his way to NBA stardom, two MVP awards, and a league title at the end of the 2022-23 season.
Milojevic went on to coach in Montenegro in 2021 before accepting an assistant’s position on head coach Steve Kerr’s staff.
He’s now in his third season with the team after winning an NBA title with the Warriors at the end of the 2021-22 campaign.